Planning to move from a house to an apartment? Planning to downsize to a smaller space? As an empty nester, your family home may seem too large and difficult to maintain. The idea of less housework is certainly appealing, but where do you start? Downsizing to an apartment comes with plenty of decisions. What do you do with your over-sized furniture? How do you fit all your stuff into an apartment that’s probably half the size of your current home? Check out this guide to help reduce your anxiety and make downsizing easier.
Start Planning Early
As soon as you decide to move into an apartment, start planning. Getting started early helps you get more organized and reduces your stress.
- Identify the best times to move. Would you prefer a weekend so your family or friends can help? How far away do you intend to go? Will it require one or more days?
- Create a list of all the items in your home and categorize them into things you must have and things you can do without.
- Determine your lifestyle needs and space for your new apartment. Do you need space for working? How many bedrooms do you want? How many visitors will you have?
Research Where You Want To Live
Once your plans are underway, start researching neighborhoods that fit into your lifestyle needs. Ask yourself these questions.
- Do you want to be close to any friends or family?
- Would you prefer to be within walking distance of shopping precincts or public transport?
- Do you like the neighborhood?
- Are there any walking paths, parks or waterways nearby?
- What do you want in your new apartment? Would you like specific amenities like fitness centers, pools and clubhouses?
Do research before narrowing down your choices and comparing apartments. Use these questions as a stepping-stone to help you make practical decisions.
Decide What To Take And What To Get Rid Of
Once you’ve found a great apartment, it’s time to decide what to take and what to get rid of.
- Get rid of oversized furniture that fit in your house but might not fit into your new apartment
- Throw away or recycle old items you haven’t used in years.
- Hold a garage sale to get rid of ‘good condition’ things you won’t need in your new home.
- Create a plan for all the extra stuff you have. Give to charity, recycle, throw or sell stuff you don’t need. If you need to store a few items, find a storage facility.
The key to making your apartment move stress-free is to get rid of the clutter. It’s easier said than done, but it will make your life so much easier.
Find A Reliable Mover
Instead of shouldering the move on our own, it can be best to hire a reliable and professional mover to make the transition easy.
- Research reliable movers with great reviews online and/or through a personal recommendation.
- Make reservations as early as you can to avoid paying higher last-minute prices.
- Explain exactly what you need from the move so that you’re not disappointed with the service.
- Find out about charges. Some offer flat rates while others charge by the hour or the distance. Ask the moving company about any additional prices that may cover insurance, packing, and more. Choose a company that’s upfront with pricing from the start.
- Identify supplies you may need. This will include packing boxes, bubble wrap, foam wrap, tape and packing paper. Some moving companies offer this to you with your reservation too.
A reliable mover can pack, load, transport and unload your stuff in your new home. They may even offer you some downsizing tips specific to your needs. Perhaps you want to try to rent a truck and move on your own, that might work for you too.
Downsizing to an apartment is the perfect way to get a fresh start minus all the hard work of house maintenance. Plus, more time and money to spend on the things you love: travel around the world, visit friends and relatives, get a hobby or join a class.
