5 of the Easiest Ways to Adjust to Apartment Living

By Danni White on October 15, 2016

So you’ve moved out of your parents’ house and into a dorm room for your freshman year. However, at the end of your freshman year, you’ve just about had enough of noisy hallways and unclean roommates and you want to move into your own apartment.

You’ve talked to some friends and family about it (or maybe you didn’t consult anyone) but you’re certain you want to do it.

You have an idea about what it’s is like, or at least what it should be like. And you go off in the direction of your dreams. Upon move-in day at your new single space, you kind of like it. It might still be small or feel kind of cramped, but at least it’s your own place. Right?

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A few weeks after moving into your new apartment, you begin to feel a little dismayed, even depressed, about the location or the lack of amenities or the expenses that are suddenly hitting you in the face or even the small space that seems increasingly smaller as you move in more of your belongings. Where you were expecting a nice, comfortable nest turns out to be more of an open cave with broken appliances and unwanted annoyances.

Well, moving into an apartment doesn’t have to be that dramatic, but it also doesn’t have to be a big burden. If you’ve recently moved into or are thinking about moving into a fancy new place of your own, here are a few tips on how adjusting to apartment life might be easier.

1. Get a feel for the place.

Pictures are often enhanced and photoshopped in order to look attractive in a magazine or on a website. Don’t base your complete impression of the apartment complex off of what you see. Be willing to check the place out at least a couple of times before making a decision. Ask to see the inside of an actual apartment. Get a feel for how living is in the apartment. Picture yourself living there. See if it’s right for you.

Talk to people who already live there and get their opinion of the complex itself, the people who run the front office, the location, and the surroundings. The more information you obtain on the front end, the more informed your decision will be. And the more comfortable you’re likely to be months down the road after you’ve made the decision.

2. Make sure you understand the responsibilities.

Living off campus comes with its perks, but it also comes with a good deal of responsibility. (Yep, so much for “adulting”?) You will need to know how and actually set up most of your utilities. These utilities include water, gas, electric, internet, phone, cable (if you want it) and so forth each month. You will also need to pay rent each month on time (late fees can be a sucker). Along with that, you’ll be responsible for buying and most likely preparing your own food (no more late night runs to the cafeteria).

If you’re moving into an apartment with a roommate, you both will need to know how to work out your disagreements. Preferably beforehand, decide on who is going to do what, when, where, and how when it comes to bills and chores. There will be no resident assistant or student life coordinator to assist you. And heaven forbid you get into a physical quarrel and tear up the place, you will be responsible for ensuring it is fixed. At the very least, make the landlord aware of your self-imposed damages.

3. Consider total cost and expenses before move-in.

More than likely, you would have already discussed this in some way at this point. However, I think it is still important to mention. You don’t want to get into renting or leasing an apartment just because of the independence and freedom it provides and then get stuck financially. Of course, you could probably always call on mom or dad or your rich great-uncle but especially as you get older, depending on family and even some friends for financial assistance can be more of a chore and a guilt trip than a happy experience.

So it is important to know that in the beginning, your first apartment will come with a little extra fees than the normal monthly payment. You will likely have to pay a security deposit, set-up charges for utilities, and then a little extra for furniture, cleaning supplies, and groceries. Whether you have roommates who are willing to help and share the burden or you’re doing it all on your own, it is essential to write down all your expenses or punch them into an app, align it with your bank account or funding, and ensure you are able to take care of everything without putting yourself in debt.

4. Think about proximity to your school or work.

If you’re going to school full-time and working a job, you’ll likely want to be close to both. Just in case you get up late one morning, you don’t have to rush because, well, class is just across the street and work is two blocks away. Of course, there are no guarantees that you can always do this near any college. Be sure to do your homework in neighborhoods close to where you learn and work. Consider also your transportation. If you have your own car, you’re likely good. If you have to take public transportation or depend on a friend, you’ll need to pick a place that is convenient for both.

5. Enjoy your freedom.

Yes, off-campus living means no resident supervisors or assistants coming in to check up on you and your roommates each week. What you do in your own place is totally your own business. Enjoy the freedom of being independent, of trusting yourself to run your own life and your own living space. Living off campus can indeed be liberating and provide you with a new sense of confidence and ownership in your future. But be certain to use your freedom wisely.

Happy living!

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