Navigating the moving process as a 20-something year old can be challenging. However there are ways you can make your more stress-free and seamless. Here are just some tips when it comes to navigating the moving process as a 20-something:
First Things First–How much can you afford?
First things first – how much can you really spend on your new humble abode? Are you going to rent, or buy? If you’re just moving out for the first time, you should definitely start out by renting so that you can figure out if you are in an area you enjoy. From there, you can figure out how to allocate your money properly.
When you are figuring out how much you can afford, make sure that you factor in ALL bills. Student loans, car payments, insurance, any debt payments (credit cards, loans, etc), potential bills such as gas, water, electricity, and any other payments that you have to make (even buying dog food and regular groceries!).
Once you figure out how much you can spend each month, take out a little bit of that for savings. Then, from there, figure out where you might be able to move and if you need a roommate or not.
If things are tight, definitely get a roommate or go with a cheaper option. You also need to make sure that you’re not stressed out when it comes to parting with your money!
Think About Location
When finding a new place in your 20’s, you need to think about location. You could live in an urban city area where you don’t need a car.
Not having a car could allow you to put some of the money that you would normally spend on insurance, gas, and other payments, into your home or apartment.
For other places, you might need a car, so maybe moving a little farther outside of the city would be better for you, to save money on rent or mortgage.
Car or not, location is a huge factor in your decision making process. Your new place should be an easy drive to and from work and be in a convenient location!
Furnished or Unfurnished?
When you find a place, do you need it to be furnished? Make sure you think about it before signing anything!
Pre-furnished places can be great for those that are just moving out and don’t have anything. However, it can also make it feel less like your home. If they are renting with furniture, some landlords may charge more for that, while others won’t.
If you are moving somewhere unfurnished and need to invest in new items, expect to spend about $1000-2000 (or more) on furniture and things (bed, bed frame, couch, linens, kitchenware, etc.).
Check Craigslist, OfferUp, Ebay, thrift stores, and more in order to save as much money as possible. However, make sure you understand prices before impulsively buying everything lol!
I can’t tell you how many times I see used items being sold at those places for the same prices of literally $5 less than buying the item new! Check websites and do your research before buying anything new.
New City, New Challenges
When moving to the city, there will, understandably, be challenges on multiple fronts. The social challenges included are making new friends, learning the culture of a new city, and maintaining relationships with friends back home.
Then there’s the mental challenge of learning to navigate a new city, owning your new role at a new company (or at least at a new office, if it’s with the same company), and allowing your mind to settle down into a completely new routine.
Of course, emotionally, it’s hard when you’re miles away from friends and family. Sometimes it will get lonely. However, challenges come with opportunities.
You get to meet new, fun, amazingly intelligent and hard-working people and you grow your connections – which is super important in all areas of your life. Even though you’re far away from friends and family, you may even get a rush from exploring a new city and developing new relationships. It’s a great thing to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and for someone in their 20’s, it is the perfect time to do so!
Utilize Help
Navigating the moving process when you are in your 20’s can be really stressful, but the good thing about it is that others have been through it before and there are so many people that can help you! If your parents are around, get them to guide you along the process.
If you still need additional help, or if you do not have anyone that can lend you a helping hand, hire professionals such as a moving company in New Jersey like New Jersey Transport inc Moving Company!
They are residential, commercial and eviction movers in NJ. What’s amazing about them is that they focus on two things: honesty and transparency.
As a 20-something year old, that is really important when it comes to hiring movers. New Jersey Transport will be honest with you, especially when it comes to your estimate. When you get your detailed estimate, it is binding and cannot be changed.
This is really important! In addition to that, they always work hard to protect the items that they are moving. They aim to give each one of their customers the most stress-free and reliable moving experience possible. They can help you with local moving services, long distance migration services, commercial moving services, packing, auto transport, storage solutions, and more.
Huge thank you to New Jersey Transport Inc and Moving Company for sponsoring this post! I never thought I’d be talking about this on the blog, but it just shows how important it is–especially for recent grads who are looking to become more independent.
If you are in your 20’s and planning a move, it is essential to think through each of the steps listed above. Have you been through a move yourself? Let me know your thoughts!
Sending a ton of love and light your way,
P.S: To catch up on all of my adventures, follow me on these social media sites: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
A Dynamic Mentality 