In a previous life I saw people moving into and out of houses every week so developed a solid set of tips and nuggets of information to pass on (make your bed the second you get in there, you will be shattered by 7pm and grateful that 10am you had the foresight to do it) and now my son has bought his first place so is about to move in. This has had me thinking about the tips I had and made me wonder if anybody else had any to offer, so asked on Threads. Here then, should you ever need them, are some top tips for moving house for the first time.
- Master the basics of cooking. If you haven’t already, now’s the time. Begin with simple recipes that need few ingredients and consider batch cooking so all your effort for one meal can be split and frozen to enjoy at a later date too. Your goal is to avoid setting off the smoke alarm too often.
- Use I am Moving to notify all the organisations you use (insurance, TV licensing, banks, health providers, utilities etc) that you have moved. It is free and an absolute godsend. Thank me later.
- Be wise with your budget. Keep an eye on your expenses. There are excellent apps out there to help you manage your money, because you’ll suddenly find bills are quite fond of your new address.
- Get to know the neighbours. Perhaps wait a day before you borrow a cup of sugar. It’s good to build a friendly rapport; you never know when you’ll need a helping hand.
- Invest in a toolkit. And no, duct tape can’t fix everything. A basic set of tools can save you a lot of hassle and expense.
- Be in “still at work mode” for 20 minutes after getting home. If something needs doing as soon as you get in, do it then. Dont sit down and kid yourself you are doing it later. You aren’t 🙂
- Have a list of emergency contacts, including a reliable plumber, electrician, and pizza delivery. Priorities.
- Consider houseplants as companions. They improve air quality and boost your mood. If you talk to them, they won’t talk back, but they might grow better! They are good listeners and won’t judge either.
- Make an effort to understand your mortgage. It’s less about having a mortgage and more about understanding it. Know your rates, terms, and payment schedule. Ditto energy tariffs, though if you do get to grips with those can you share as I have no clue.
- Aim to have an emergency fund. Houses have a funny way of needing unexpected repairs at the most inconvenient times.
- Consider throwing a housewarming party once you’re settled in. It’s a great way to create happy memories in your new home. Plus, friends might bring gifts.
- Keep organised. Keep all your house-related documents in one place. You never know when you’ll need to find that warranty or insurance policy.
- Consider your home’s security. Change the locks when you move in. You never know who has a copy of the keys, even if it is a new build. I also change all the loo seats because, well because that is just me.
- Make time to relax. Moving can be stressful. Ensure you take time for yourself. A movie night amidst the boxes isn’t a bad idea.
- Create a cleaning schedule. It’s easier to keep up than catch up. A regular cleaning schedule helps keep the place in shape without overwhelming weekend marathons.
- Be mindful of your utilities. Turning off lights, fixing leaks, and managing your thermostat can save you a lot of money on utilities.
- Have a basic emergency kit ready, including first aid supplies, water, torches, and batteries. Also, know where the main water shut-off and breaker box are located.
Some of the tips I received from friends on Threads included the following:
- Make sure you update your delivery address on Just Eat and similar. You’ll need that before the GP, I promise.
- No stuck-on-the-wall posters. Sign of getting to adulthood is proper pictures, and make them big ones even if it’s a wee space. Don’t have to be expensive, online ready made frames can be customised, and anything looks good in a frame; pieces of material, photos, some greetings cards are little art works etc Instant personality and style
- Buy decently strong bin bags, or remember to double bag. A split bin bag halfway downstairs to the main bins is a nasty thing.
- Don’t forget to take gas and electric readings as soon as you move in.
- Invite the neighbours round for a coffee early on, it’s much easier to hate someone once you know a bit about them.
- Keep a small box of matches in the bathroom cabinet. For smells.
- Bed with storage drawers underneath, a slimline cupboard to shut neat doors on needed household paraphernalia like tools, cleaning items. mop etc. No furniture which just has empty space underneath, choose items which maximise storage capacity of every square foot of storage space.
- Teaspoons. Buy plenty of teaspoons. They disappear like After Eights at Christmas.
- Paint is surprisingly expensive.
- Invest in earplugs
- If you’re upstairs, never ever ever wear your shoes. Think about the noise you make as you move about your space. Don’t tip toe, but do be conscientious so that when someone complains you’ll already know you’re doing fine.
- If you dont fully know the renter or seller, check for teeny cameras. Folk are cuckoo now. I’d also leave a pile of delicious flies in a corner as a peace offering for the house spider overlords. You can forge a relationship with them. My one is actually quite sound. Big tho.
- If you leave clothes on the floor when you go out, they will still be there when you come home
- Never have a working fisherman as a guest straight off the boat.
That last one is probably the most pertinent