First time moving?

Moving away from home for the first time is one of the most exciting, bittersweet and exhilarating things you’ll ever experience. There’s a whole bunch of things you’ll need to figure out before moving. Where will you live? What’s your budget for rent or a mortgage, food, electricity, water, internet, etc.? Will you have a house mate? Will you need to get your own appliances? When will you move and who will help you? Will you need a moving checklist?

With all these questions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We can help you to ensure a smooth journey while moving out for the first time. Let’s talk all things bill and budgets, furnishings and essentials, plus packing advice.

You’re right on the money

Moving out and living alone can be an expensive exercise. Before committing to moving out for the first time, make a plan so you can avoid bill shock.

First things first – work out exactly what you can afford. Take note of every single expense – from utilities (such as Alinta Energy for gas) and insurance, to eating out and shopping. Don’t leave any stone unturned and keep it realistic.

Practice “paying” rent and other expenses a couple of months before the big move to test whether your budget is doable.

This step can also help you determine whether you need to consider living with a roommate and sharing bills, to help make things easier financially. If that’s the case, pick your companions wisely! Trust your gut and find roomies who you’re comfortable with and who have a similar lifestyle to you.

Once you’ve got your budget – stick to it! Don’t sign leases on something you can’t afford, no matter how perfect the space is. And make sure you live within your means. That includes accepting hand me downs and second-hand furniture.

How do you know whether it’s the one?

It can be daunting figuring out exactly which place is best for you. Here are some handy tips to take with you when you’re on the hunt for a house.

• Choose a house, apartment or even a granny flat in an area you’re familiar with or has some connection with your life – like being be close to work or public transport.
• There are no stupid questions. Ask all the questions you can think of when inspecting your potential new home, such as how old the water heater is, whether the stove is gas or electric, or even how much natural light comes through.
• Don’t be afraid to look behind every nook and cranny. Open up doors and cupboards, check the water pressure and temperature from the taps, and check the power plugs are in working order. You’re better off checking this all now than dealing with consequences later.
• Don’t expect your first place to look like it’s straight out of Architectural Digest. Lower your expectations – it may not be perfect, but it needs to fit within your budget.
• If you’re working from home, double check there’s natural lighting, great phone and internet service and plenty of power outlets so you can set up your workstation to your liking.

Before the big move

Okay so you’ve decided on a place and had your offer accepted. Congratulations! What now?

After you collect your paperwork from the landlord or property manager, take photos of the property and any issues it may have. Document these clearly and include the photos when you return your paperwork to your landlord. No matter how tiny the crack or scuff is, it is not worth paying for someone else’s damage, so this is an important step to take.

We also recommend purchasing any household essentials earlier rather than later. This way your budget won’t take such a massive hit right when you move in and you can take advantage of sales!

Pack it up and move it!

And now it’s finally time to move home. Don’t let it scare you, our blog has everything you need to know for a successful move. From deciding which removalist to choose, what you need to pack first, and how to save money when you’re moving.

You can also save time by decluttering and purging before you start packing. Don’t be sneaky and try to dump everything at your parents’ place either – we promise getting rid of things you don’t need will be incredibly satisfying.

If you follow all these easy tips, you’re golden and ready to make the big move!

To help you when you move, we’re putting some of the best moving tips we’ve learnt over the past 25 years on our website.