Apartment living comes with plenty of perks – whether it’s the enviable inner-city address, a secure lock up and leave home base that lets you explore the world, or simply a more affordable step into your first home that draws you in, the move itself can take a little adjustment.
The good news is, with a bit of preparation, embracing apartment living is easy.
Here’s how:
Getting prepared to move into an apartment
For downsizers, it can take a fair amount of work to fit years of accumulated clutter,
mementos, and seemingly essential items into a smaller footprint, but the result is often quite liberating! Here’s how to get started:
- Make like Marie Condo – while you don’t need to embrace a completely minimalist lifestyle, now’s the time to cull all those items that have sat idle in wardrobes, lofts, or garages and consolidate. Think about which items you can’t live without and which items you can happily ‘rehome’.
- Store and sit on it – If there’s still too much stuff you can’t quite bear to let go of just yet, consider a temporary storage service. That way, you can hang on to some sentimental yet unessential items until you’re ready to let them go, or they can be rehomed with family members.
- Go paperless – even with most of our lives online, you’ll be surprised how much paper you accumulate. Start checking those ‘receive this communication digitally’ boxes now!
Read more downsizing tips for living in an apartment in our Getting ready to dowsize guide.
Don't overlook moving day logistics
It’s important to plan ahead for a smooth and efficient moving day. Now that you’ve minimalised your worldly possessions, prepare for the move with these vital tips:
- Identify the most hassle-free route to your new apartment.
- Note the dimensions of your items to ensure they'll fit through doors and elevators.
- Determine a suitable parking spot for the removal van.
- Find out the optimal times for accessing the main elevator, or service elevator if available.
Hiring an experienced removalist can help alleviate the pressures of moving day. Not only can they do all the heavy lifting for you, but many companies also offer professional packing and unpacking services to make your move even easier.
Getting settled into your new apartment:
Apartment life is undeniably different from standalone home life, but a few simple tips can help you to feel settled sooner:
- Does your green thumb need a workout? A few simple planter boxes or hanging baskets with your favourite flowers, herbs, dwarf fruit trees, or space-saving vegetable plants can quickly make you feel right at home.
- Get to know your neighbours – once you’re unpacked, invite your neighbours over for a cuppa. It helps build a sense of community, and new friendships can be formed.
- Embrace storage solutions – space can be at a premium in apartments, and clutter is the enemy. Keep an eye out for clever multi-purpose storage solutions, and utilise every nook.
- Get exploring – getting to know your new neighbourhood is a surefire way to help you settle into your new home (and get excited!). Check out fun spots like your new local coffee shop, pizza joint, and walking routes. Don’t forget to familiarise yourself with practical amenities too, like supermarkets and local doctors.
- Refresh your décor – free yourself from inherited furniture and embrace a décor style you love. Keep it bright and spacious with a simple colour palette, additional lighting and mirrors to amplify light and reflect outdoor spaces.
Are furry friends moving with you?
If you’ve got pets in tow, build in some time to help your furry friend adjust to their new home. Is Fido or Felix joining you in the move? If your apartment building is pet friendly, you’ll need to adopt a regular exercise and toileting routine for dogs and ensure they have plenty to keep them entertained as they adapt. Cats enjoy climbing, so utilise vertical space for climbing towers and lookout perches – just ensure all windows are fitted with security latches.
Embrace the change and feel the freedom
Change isn’t always easy (and moving isn’t often fun), but once you’re settled, you’ll find the carefree, compact and comfortable lifestyle that comes hand in hand with apartment living refreshing and rewarding.
To help you on your journey to apartment life, download our eBook Buying townhouses and apartments off the plan. It’ll help you get versed in the intricacies of purchasing, choosing the right community, how the entire process works and even has a handy move-in-day checklist.
*Some regional variations to the contract process apply.