Once you’ve moved and all of your boxes and furniture are finally secured in your new home, the last thing you want to consider is any additional busy work. It can seem daunting to complete the move and turn the unit into your own home. Some tasks can be fairly quick and easy, and some can take a little longer but as you cross each one off your list, it’ll start to feel like your new home. Here are some tips for settling into your new home:
Unbox everything
Packing everything up is no fun and unpacking everything isn’t any more fun. Before you start opening up boxes and putting things away, move each box to the corresponding room in order to give you some more space and make the task easier. A lot of clutter can induce stress and anxiety and by unpacking the boxes and tossing them out, you’ll create more space to move around.
Arrange your furniture
Find the focal point for each room and arrange your furniture accordingly. For example, decide where your TV is going to go in the main living space. Now you can arrange the location of your couches and chairs depending on where the television is. You can do the same for your office and bedrooms. None of this has to be permanent, but creating a livable and comfortable space will help you get settled quickly.
Change your address
If you haven’t already, be sure to go to the local post office and fill out a change of address form. This will ensure any mail that might go to your old address will get forwarded to your new address. You’ll also need to change your address on any accounts you have for billing or delivery.
Transfer utilities
One of the first things you’ll need to do is transfer all the utilities to your name. This depends on what utilities your landlord covers. If you live in an apartment, it is possible they may cover both water and gas. Check with your lease or your landlord in order to figure out what you are responsible for and who you need to contact.
Lock it up
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Holding phone with launched alarm app on the house background outdoors. Concept of controlling and managing home security from a mobile device[/caption]
Take a look around your home for any security risks. If your landlord didn’t change the locks, ask them to change them or change them yourself. The old tenants may have made copies and given them to family or friends. Double-check all the locks on the windows and consider adding any other security features like ring cameras and motion alarms.
Introduce yourself to the neighbors
You may not want to be social with your neighbors, but it is a good idea to get to know them on a neighborly basis. They may be able to keep an eye on your home if you’re out of town or collect your mail. They may also get packages delivered to their home that was intended for you
Explore the neighborhood
Find out what is in your immediate area, especially what is within walking distance. You can make your life more convenient by knowing everything that is in your area. You can save yourself trips and time by being aware of what services are within walking distance.
Customize
Even though you’re renting, there are minor changes you can make to your rental unit that can make it your own. You can do things like paint a splash wall, use some peel-and-stick decor, or change or add curtains There are more options than many realize when it comes to customizing a rental and making it your own. This is especially true if you plan on staying in the same place for more than a year.