Moving to a New Apartment: Things To Consider

Deciding whether you want to move to a new apartment is a huge deal and is not something to decide lightly. You may be settled into your current apartment and get along with your roommates perfectly. However, this may not be the case. There will be cases where you run into issues in your apartment and struggle to get along with your roommates. If you are considering a move and need to decide if it is worth it, there are a few things to keep in mind to see if you should move or stay.

Is it worth it?

As you will see below, moving apartments can be difficult. You have to move your belongings and possibly find new roommates. If you are moving in the middle of your lease, you will have to break your lease, which can be difficult to navigate in and of itself. This means that the reason (or reasons) for moving out to a new apartment needs to be stronger than the difficulty that moving may entail. Your rent may be increasing to a price you are unable to afford. On the contrary, you may have gotten a raise at work or have more money coming in and you can afford a bigger or better place. Your current apartment or neighborhood may not be as exciting as they once were and you need a change of scenery. You may also be having issues with your landlord or roommates. No matter the reason, be sure you have a reason for wanting to move and that you have exhausted every possible solution to fix the issues you are facing.

Timing the move

If you are having issues with your current roommates, you may decide that you want to move out mid-semester. This means that you will have to juggle searching for and moving into a new place with the other stressors that come with student life, including academics, extracurriculars, and possibly a job. It is important that you can keep your grades up and be reliable at your job. You may also be limited on spaces available to rent and you will likely not be able to choose your roommates. If possible, try to schedule your move for when you are on a break so that you do not have to take time away from your commitments.

Moving in the winter has its own challenges. It is possible that it is snowy and icy, making the sidewalk conditions dangerous to maneuver, especially with heavy bags and boxes. It will also be difficult to keep items dry if there is snow and ice everywhere. Make sure you have safe footwear and warm clothes if you are in a place that warrants it. Be sure to wipe your feet on a mat when you enter your apartment so you do not slip. Ask your landlord how to set up utilities so you have heating and hot water the day you move into your new place.

Who will help you?

As a college student, you likely have a group of friends or classmates who may be willing to help you move. Your family may also be available to help if your hometown is nearby. Most friends will accept payment in the form of food and beverages after. However, they may not be as knowledgeable and experienced as a moving company. A moving company may be more expensive, but they know the ins and outs of moving, including how to keep your belongings safe. You will also need a truck if you plan on moving large furniture items.

Image: Elina Fairytale via https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-hugging-and-smiling-4834142/

Potential lease break

When you moved into your current apartment, you likely signed a long-term lease. If your landlord rents primarily to college students, they likely kept the lease anywhere from six months to a year since students do move semester-to-semester if not year-to-year. However, depending on when you move, you will need to break your lease. Since the lease is a legal contract, breaking the lease may come with penalties unless you have a legal reason for doing so. The most important thing to do is to stay in communication with your landlord.

Consider subletting

If you decide to move to a new apartment and you are still responsible for your lease at your old apartment, you may consider subletting to avoid paying two separate rents. Just be sure to read your lease and talk to your landlord about what the rules are and if it is allowed in your apartment. Also, have a sublet agreement so whoever is coming in is aware of the rules and you are not held accountable. You may also want to look for a sublet to move into when you do move since it will be easier to find a sublet than an entirely new apartment with a new lease. This is especially true if you are leaving partway through the semester.

Moving to a new apartment can be challenging, especially in the middle of the semester or partway through a lease. Keep these things in consideration and you will be able to make a decision.