Moving out can be a daunting or stressful process, whether it’s for the 1st time or the 31st. In your twenties, there can be itching to get away from family and have some long sought after independence, but with increased living costs and less security in the housing and job markets, it’s not always that easy to up-sticks and ‘make it on your own’ the moment you feel like you're ready.
That’s why more young people are choosing to wait a little longer before taking the leap. Luckily, with a little planning and preparation, moving out of home can be an exciting new step in your adult life, where you'll meet lots of new people and expand your perceptions of the world.
In this article you’ll find the important details to consider before making any big decisions, and how to make the process as stress-free as possible before packing up those boxes.
Get your own car
If you’re coming from a smaller town, you’re likely going to need a car to drive yourself to your new home city, and to transport yourself around when you get there. Whilst moving out can already seem like a huge cost, securing a vehicle doesn’t need to burn another hole in your savings - at least not all at once. You can take out a car loan which will allow you to pay the cost back gradually in instalments over months or even years, a key money-saving tip - especially if you’re scraping your pennies together to cover a holding deposit, a bond and the first two weeks of rent.
You don’t have to get a new car either. Opting for a used car will save money and potentially cost less in insurance too. Check whether your new place is easily connected to malls, bars, parks, or will have you doing a lot more driving to get around, as petrol costs should factor into your rent budget if it’s going to make a substantial difference to your monthly spendings.
Do your research
Whilst it can be tempting to hop off a bus with your belongings in a handkerchief over your shoulder Dick Whittington style, the reality is that moving to a city, or anywhere, without some form of plan can soon leave you in a much poorer financial situation as you’re forced to make decisions on stricter time-pressures or with less information.
Ask lots and lots of questions, and do your best to find out the answers. Are there vacancies being listed in my chosen sector? If you have a job pre-sorted, is the commute reasonable from the accommodation I’m looking at? Is my neighbourhood safe? Are there places to socialise around me, and will I be able to get back home late if I can’t drive? Would I prefer to save money living a little further out, or am I prepared to settle for a smaller room so I can be more central? Of course, the questions you’re asking will be very specific to your personality and your preferences. But working out what’s non-negotiable and what you can afford to be flexible with will help you make informed choices and feel more confident about your move.
Checklist the essentials
Whether you’re renting or moving in with friends, each property or housing agency has its own policies and protocols for utilities, including water, electricity and WiFi arrangements that you might not have had to worry about before. Some of these might be upfront payments, monthly bills, or metre-readings. You’ll also need to find out whether your property comes furnished or unfurnished. It’s important to work out all these costs and what you’re responsible for arranging versus what is taken care of in your housing agreement in-advance.
On top of that, you’ll need to be up-to-date on all your personal information and vital documents. That includes things like health insurance, setting up prescriptions, first-aid and bushfire kits if appropriate. Get these arrangements out of the way before or as soon as you move - it’s much better to have information or resources to hand when you need them instead of trying to work it out then. Change your listed address with all the relevant organisations including the Australian Electoral Commission, and leave space in the first week or so for any unexpected delays or extra tasks that may crop up which you can smooth out quickly.
Budgeting
It’s not just the act of moving that’s expensive, living without home comforts for the first time can be a bit of a shock to the bank balance, especially if you’re moving to a city. Aside from petrol, regular public transport costs will add up and become part of your regular weekly spending. You won’t have the luxury of nipping into the pantry and stealing your siblings’ snacks, so make a note of how much you’re spending on groceries. A good way of saving money is to plan your meals before you go shopping, so you spend less eating out spontaneously, and can buy ingredients instead of prepared items that cost significantly more.
There will be a lot more upfront costs when you move house - there’s not enough hangers in the wardrobe, you need to stock up on bathroom and cleaning products, or a lightbulb might need changing. But once you get into the swing of things, try to set aside time to work out your regular income and spending habits, dividing up the essentials from how you spend recreationally, and try to set yourself a budget you can stick to, to ensure you don’t end up with an empty fridge and no parents to ask for a cheeky $20 note.
Check in with yourself
Even if things go swimmingly, which let’s face it, happens very rarely during big moves, moving out of your family home is a big life change, and there’s a lot of adjusting that takes place. Your physical surroundings and routine may change quicker than your emotions have a chance to catch up. Where you would once roll out of bed and go downstairs to eat breakfast in your pyjamas, now you’re sharing a bathroom with a stranger with an entirely different background to you. The people you live with may have different house rules, you may be further away from friends, and you’ll be taking in a lot of information from your new surroundings.
Stay in touch with the people you care about the most, and lean on them for support when you need it. At the same time, try to meet people and form new friendships by joining a club, or getting in touch with any existing contacts you have in the area. Carve out time for you to relax, whether reconnecting in nature or watching a favourite film. Above all, understand that it’s completely normal to have moments where the whole thing feels a bit overwhelming, and that with time you’ll settle in and start to feel at home.
There’s a lot to be considered when moving out for the first time, and we’ve attempted to cover some of the key points to keep in mind. After reading through, hopefully this guide will have you feeling more equipped - and more excited - to take the leap and move out from home.
Make plans to come back and visit from time to time if you can, and take it easy on yourself when you get there. It will take time for everything to settle down, but once you’ve done the move, the hardest part is out the way.