As teenagers, we all dreamed of freedom and independent life from our parents. However, along with freedom come responsibilities as well, and that can seem daunting at first. After all, this last step out of the nest is a big shift for young adults, not just financially, but emotionally as well. This transition to adulthood carries with itself a lot of decisions, which is why you need a carefully devised plan to ease the process. To make your moving out journey less stressful, read our step-by-step guide to get into the relocation groove.

Start planning

First things first – moving requires you to start doing things on time. Or, even better, ahead of it. In order to handle your upcoming relocation with ease, start devising a plan as soon as you’ve decided to move out. Keep in mind that moving house is different than packing for a vacation. It’s much more detailed and requires you to decide on several matters. First of all, are you moving somewhere close or are you going to a different state or country? Do you have a stable job that will cover your rent expenses and other financial needs?

Then, another cost you might want to factor in is the cost of moving. If it’s a long-distance or an interstate relocation, consider hiring professionals like verrazanomoving.com to help you with the moving out process. Also, what to pack from your home and what to buy once you move in? Lay out all of your concerns on paper and start solving them one by one.

Find a suitable place

Once you’ve outlined a plan and you have a somewhat clear idea of how the moving process is going to unfold, the apartment search may begin! Take all things into account, and remember that compromise is inevitable. The first factor on the list is location – do you want to live near work or is commuting okay as long as the rent is lower? Maybe it’s more convenient to live next to a place where you socialize, or near your close friends. Once you set your preferences in terms of location, you can slowly begin the apartment hunt in the chosen area.

At this point, you need to determine how much rent you can afford to pay. Maybe you should even consider finding a roommate – great both for your budget and for the not-so-lonely transition to independence. When visiting potential apartments, present yourself well. Also, research your potential landlord, talk to the previous tenants or neighbors about the apartment and the area. The more careful you are during your apartment search, the happier you’ll be with the end result.

Make a financial plan

While you’re waving to your parents in the rear-view mirror, you might as well say goodbye to your financial stability. At least the one where you could always count on them to cover most of your expenses. Sure, they can be your safety net, but the sooner you learn to depend on your income – the better. For this purpose, compare your income to your total monthly expense, put everything on paper. Remember to take everything into account – food expenses, gym membership, utility bills, etc.

Be aware that some or most of your savings will be used to cover the moving costs. For example, if you need help to pack your items before you move, especially large or fragile ones, you’ll need to pay extra for packing services. This doesn’t mean you can’t learn to economize. When hiring movers, the weight of your shipment can be significantly reduced if you only bring the basics. There’s no need to bring half of your old home stuff into your new apartment. After all, you’re moving out to start fresh, aren’t you?

Make a schedule of chores

Okay, so we’ve covered the moving organization and your finances are in check. Now you can kick back and relax in your new apartment, relishing in your freedom, right? Except, freedom comes with responsibilities, remember? Moving out is all fun and games until you realize that homes don’t run themselves, at least not yet. This is why you should create a schedule of chores as soon as you arrive to your new humble abode. It might help you to divide household chores into separate to-do lists, such as a daily, weekly, monthly list. Here’s an example of a weekly chores list:

• wash clothes, bedsheets and towels
• vacuum or sweep all floors
• dust all surfaces
• empty trash in all trashcans
• clean toilets

It might be helpful to do one chore every day of the week so that you’re not overwhelmed by doing it all in one day.  The important thing is to maintain a routine. Once you get in the groove, you can also personalize your space by decorating your apartment. Don’t be afraid to spark your creativity!

Prepare yourself emotionally before moving out

No matter how much we all want to start our own life independent of our parents, moving out is still emotionally difficult. With that in mind, it’s normal to feel nervous or overwhelmed. Spend time with family and hometown friends to let off steam. Prepare yourself mentally by researching the new area and the activities that might interest you. Keep in mind the vision of your new life, but don’t dwell too much on the negatives. You’ll figure it all out step by step.

Another way to prepare is to start changing the habits that will make the transition easier down the road. Analyse your cleanliness and spending habits as well as your ability to follow a daily routine. These will be of immense importance later on. If you’re moving to a place where you have friends, then be sure your transition will go way smoother. The first leap into the adult world isn’t all dread, it’s excitement as well, and worth celebrating too. Once you arrive, gather your friends and throw a house party – welcome to the real world!