How to Move Out for the First Time – Best Tips for Leaving the Parents’ House

No matter what your reason to move is, whether you are relocating for love and about to start a new life with a partner, or you’re going to college, leaving the parents’ house and moving out for the first time is quite a stressful event. This is especially true for all those young people who have never been financially independent before and are now becoming responsible for their finances. Combined with all the pressure related to organizing the move itself, it can be more than an overwhelming experience. Here are all the things to know when moving out that will help you endure the transition and adjust more easily to the upcoming changes.

How Far Does the Typical American Go From Their Parents’ Home?

Believe it or not, the average American lives only 18 miles away from their parent’s home, while only 20% choose a location a couple of hours’ drive away. The main reasons that determine how far an American would go from their house are based on income and education opportunities.

Although there are many advantages when it comes to living with parents, like building stronger bonds with them, helping them if they are older, or not paying any bills, there are multiple disadvantages, too. Lack of privacy, limited job opportunities (especially if you live in a smaller town), and consequently – limited personal growth options are the most common challenges of those Americans who choose not to move.

Cross-country moving is easier said than done. Although you might feel like a fish out of water at the beginning, once you get to enjoy all the fruits of relocation, the whole ordeal will be worth it. So, how far are you willing to go in order to meet your goals?

Tip #1: Prepare Mentally and Emotionally for the Upcoming Change – Experiencing Fear Is Normal

Relocating to a new home, paying bills, rent, or even buying your first house all require a lot of courage. So if you feel stressed out, don’t despair! The feeling of fear and anxiety about moving out is completely normal and expected. Another thing to keep in mind is – you’re not all alone in this.

Having Mixed Feelings About Leaving Home Is Another Normal Reaction

Millions of young people share the same struggles. They feel excited and sad at the same time, blaming themselves for how they could possibly be so happy or ungrateful for leaving their home. Accepting those conflicting emotions is the best way to go through the whole experience. Unfortunately, those who feel unready emotionally and mentally and don’t work on it usually face some severe consequences, like depression after relocating or sleeping disorders like adjustment insomnia.

The reason why this happens is improper emotional preparation. Going through all the changes automatically without giving yourself time to process all the information, means you might have to pay the price of mental exhaustion. So, instead of hiding your feelings, fears, and doubts and panicking on your own, share them with your best friends and family members. The most effective method is undoubtedly consulting a professional therapist to give you the needed support. The only way to enjoy all the benefits of relocating is to accept even those negative feelings and be entirely aware of what happens in your mind.

Tip #2: Create a Moving Out for the First Time Checklist to Follow the Relocation Process More Easily

How do I get started moving out? – Quite expectedly, this will be one of the first questions after you make the decision to move. There will be plenty of tasks on your plate while organizing the relocation. From packing to getting your documents in order and booking the relocation, this is a multi-phase process that requires dedication and precision. For that reason, creating a first-time moving out checklist followed by a to-do list is the best method to keep everything under control, prioritize your tasks, give them a timeline, and follow the progress of your move.

Tip #3: Know Your Budget Limits

One of the essential tips for moving out for the first time is to know your budget and prepare the funds accordingly. The more detailed the budget is, the easier it will be to define the necessary funds. Here are some tips on what to include in your budget when planning the relocation.

How Much Can You Spend on Rent?

Except in exceptional circumstances, it’s more likely you’ll be renting your first apartment rather than buying one. So, aside from checking what you need to rent an apartment and listing the stuff to buy to equip it, the vital thing to do is to explore the housing options.

The prices on the housing market will help you define the amount of money you are ready to spend on rent. If you are about to start college or just got a job and have pretty limited finances, then finding a roommate (or roommates) is the right option for you. Not only will it be the most affordable option, but it will also give you a chance to experience living on your own and being surrounded by people. Since privacy is guaranteed, as well as company, considering this solution is definitely worth it.

Don’t Forget to Include Travel Costs in the Budget

You won’t be able to get on the moving truck with your stuff, so finding another way of transport for yourself is of great importance. Booking flights and hotels in advance or finding an Airbnb is another way to save on costs. Also, if you are relocating with a pet, there is another expense to include. Don’t forget to book pet-friendly transportation and check what other regulations you have to meet. To find more useful tips, take a look at our Ultimate Moving Guide and keep everything under control!

Check How Much Renter’s Insurance Costs

The most common thing you can forget to do when you move is to include renter’s insurance expenses in the budget. The cost depends on:

• The state you are living in,
• Previous claims history,
• Credit history,
• Coverage limits,
• Whether you’re relocating with a pet.

Renter’s insurance can range from $101 – $262 on a yearly basis. It’s the least expensive in Wyoming and the most expensive in Louisiana. Since there are different policies, the best solution is to check what is included with the provider so you can precisely count it into the budget.

How Much Money Should You Have Saved Before Moving Out?

Unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question since the cost of relocation depends on multiple factors like:

• The distance between the pick-up and delivery place,
• The number of stuff on your inventory list,
• The date of relocation – how flexible you are, and many more.

Consulting movers and asking for a quote is the best way to get this information, so don’t hesitate to contact them and start preparing for the move!

Tip #4: Start the Packing Process on Time – at Least Three Months in Advance

Undoubtedly, packing is one of the most exhausting, demanding, and tiring processes. Unless you chose to use professional packing services provided by the long-distance moving company you’ve hired, prepare for some serious work. However, regardless of whether you’re using the long-distance movers’ packing help or not, you’ll be required to make some preparations.

Here are some tips on how to organize the boxing-up process efficiently. Follow them, and you’ll be able to save a lot of nerves and money since all the costs related to relocation are affected by the number of items on your inventory list.

Sort Out the Belongings – Decide What You Really Need to Equip the New Apartment

When relocating from a house to an apartment, one thing is certain – you’ll have to downsize for the move. The best way to decide what to keep is to go through all your stuff and think about whether you’ll use it in the new place. Another useful trick is to create a new apartment checklist, where you’ll define all the items you want to take from your old place and the things you need to buy in order to properly equip it.

Start with your closet, organize important documents, and finish with books and decor, always keeping in mind that you won’t need all the stuff in the new place. Try to get rid of as many things as possible – donate them to charities, sell them in a garage sale, or recycle them. This way, you’ll significantly cut the number of items in your inventory list and save on relocation costs.

Get All Necessary Packing Materials

You may try to box up all you have in a pair of suitcases. However, that is a good idea for clothes and sturdy objects only. When it comes to boxing up delicate, fragile items such as decorations, figurines that remind you of some special moment, family pictures, or anything similar you’ll need to find proper boxes and other packaging materials.

Getting packing materials as mentioned below is a must if you want your items to be delivered whole. Here are the supplies you should prepare:

• A few hard cardboard boxes,
• Packing paper,
• Bubble wrap,
• Foam peanuts,
• Dividers,
• Padding,
• Labels,
• A few markers, and
• Sturdy tape.

Alternative Packing Supplies Can Help You Save on Costs and Protect the Environment

Of course, there are alternatives you can use such as already used boxes (just for the record, you could save a couple of hundred dollars if you pick this option) or eco-friendly solutions. Whatever you pick, keep in mind that these boxes should still be sturdy enough to bear the weight of the contents. And, don’t overfill the boxes, because not only will someone have to lift and carry them, they can also get damaged due to the weight they are not supposed to be used for.

If you are interested in exploring sustainable package solutions for fragile stuff, make sure to check the video below!

Tip #5: Pick Prime Cross-Country Movers to Relocate You Safely and Efficiently

With more than 7,000 companies on the market, finding a reliable cross-country moving company is easier said than done. Your search should begin in an internet browser – simply google “long distance movers near me” and take it from there. However, don’t just book the first team you see before checking if the relocation company is legitimate and reading the testimonials of previous customers. This is the only way to stay away from relocation scams.

The moment you are sure they are worthy of your trust, other criteria will be that they provide as many long-distance moving services as you need. This way, not only will the whole relocation cost you less – the more services you combine, the more discounts you will get, but it will also significantly facilitate the whole organization. Booking auto-transport services and packing services with the same company definitely seems much easier than scheduling the relocation, vehicle shipping, and a storage unit separately.

You’re Ready for an Adventure Called – Moving for the First Time

After reading all this, we are sure you are more than qualified to start organizing your next big step. Although the whole process can be pretty stressful and overwhelming, if you strive to keep everything under control and take care of every detail, just keep up with our useful tips, and you’ll surely have a positive relocation experience!