Bare Necessities – 5 Things You Need To Do When You Move Out Of Home For The First Time

Bare Necessities – 5 Things You Need To Do When You Move Out Of Home For The First Time

As much as people sell it as an adventure, moving out on your own for the first time is a little daunting. Whether you’re relocating in the same town you grew up in, or to a whole different city, you are about to learn a lot of practical life lessons. To help you feel at home a little quicker in your move, here are five things to think about right away.

1. Include dental in your healthcare in your budget  

People have all kinds of horror stories about waiting rooms and neglected illnesses, but aside from the obvious issues of health crises, the costs can also have lasting effects! Organize affordable dental cover and make sure your budget includes all your necessary health costs like medication, appointments, glasses before you work out flexible budgets like rent, entertainment, and eating out. 

2. Know your budget and your boundaries

It doesn’t matter how ideal the location or other features of a prospective home are if they leave you in debt or stuck with roommates you don’t feel comfortable living with. Try to keep your total living costs inclusive of rent and bills at a reasonable portion of your overall budget. 

Around 50% is ideal, but the lower the better, especially if you’re living on a shoestring budget. Take into consideration your comfort levels with shared communal spaces, living with pets, and room-sharing. Always stay true to your boundaries before signing any lease or contract.

3. Pay attention to natural light and ventilation

It can be easy to dismiss certain details when going through a home inspection or interview, and the truth is, you may not always have the luxury of time to check out everything before your move-in date. 

At the bare minimum, after making sure your living space is safe and secure and that the amenities are functional, look at the lighting and ventilation of your home, specifically, your bedroom. You may not mind having a small room, but not having windows or proper ventilation can feel stuffy and may even affect your health long-term.

4. Don’t overspend on furniture

You might have an aesthetic in mind for your new home and that’s totally fine, but spending your bond on furniture that will go out of style or be difficult to move is never a good idea. It’s even worse if you need to finance furniture just so that you can keep up with a certain image. 

Thrifting, sales, and buying second-hand will be your best friends when decorating your first home. People move all the time, and because of this, there are plenty of high-quality items available for bargain prices, simply because they are pre-loved. Definitely take advantage of this!

5. Meet your roomies first

Of course, this doesn’t apply if you are moving solo, but if you are going to be sharing your new home with other tenants, make sure you have an interview or meeting with your roomies before you sign any long-term contracts. It can be useful to ask questions about any pre-established house rules and how duties like cleaning, cooking, and paying bills are divided. 

Lifestyle factors like differing work schedules, pets, dietary requirements, whether or not it is a “party house,” or if your roommate is a violin player that practices for four hours every morning can make or break your quality of life in a particular home.


Moving out can seem overwhelming at first, but with these five tips in mind, you are set to find the right place to call home.

Rohit Raina
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