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Nearly all of us had wanted to live in a massive family home at least once. There’s just something about a vast yard, patios, porches, several bedrooms, large living rooms, and all that jazz.
And maybe you’ve even made your dream come true, and now you’re living in such a huge home. And you’ve realized:
- Your bills are high.
- You have too much unused space.
- The large house feels more cold than cozy.
Or, maybe you want to invest your money elsewhere and consider downsizing to an apartment.
For several reasons, moving from a house to an apartment can make perfect sense. For starters, you won’t have to worry about HOA fees or maintenance issues. Still, before you get there, you first need to find the proper apartment and take part in the arduous process of packing and moving. On that end, we might be able to help in your moving preparation.
Still, first, we have to discuss the best tips for moving from a house to an apartment.
Downsizing to an apartment: Determine your budget and needs
Relocating from a family house to an apartment should determine your price range and budget. Once you’re done with the financial part of the preparations, you can create a list of the qualities you want in your new large or small apartment.
Where should the apartment be located? How large should it be? If you’re solo, would you consider having a roommate? Do you have any specific preferences regarding available space? Once you’ve made your list, you can start checking out the latest apartment listings. Once you’ve found a few potential apartments, check the mall out. And when you’ve selected your next home, you can start with the moving process.
Assess the costs: Is moving from a house to an apartment cheaper?
Living in a small apartment will surely enable you to save some serious money, but whether the move will be cheaper will depend on a myriad of factors.
Still, overall, it’s safe to say that apartment living can be a more cost-effective option because you can save a considerable amount of money on heating and cooling, as a small apartment won’t usually require too much energy to cool or heat.
Renting an apartment is usually less expensive, but there are cases when apartment living isn’t always the cheaper option. Different cities and neighborhoods will have different rent prices, not to mention, if you are looking for a large apartment, you will have to pay more rent, and your utility bills will likely be higher as well.
Doing the necessary math is crucial to help you determine whether you will be saving any money or not.
Adjust to apartment living
It’s not uncommon for people to opt for downsizing to an apartment or renting a small apartment in the first place.
Still, sharing a wall with a neighbor may take some time to get used to, but the transition shouldn’t be challenging.
To make the new apartment more “your own,” consider making minor adjustments or upgrades, so it feels more like your own living space. Change the lighting fixtures, hang a few pictures or posters on the wall, and so on. Apart from that, everything else should go smoothly.
Be aware of the cons of living in a small apartment
Moving from a house to an apartment has several benefits, but it can also come with a set of disadvantages.
Noise can be a problem, as the thinner walls might not protect you from loud neighbors. Parking may also be limited; there’s no yard space, and some buildings and apartments aren’t pet-friendly. That said, if you are serious about downsizing to an apartment, make sure to weigh everything before making a decision.
Know the differences between house and apartment living
The dream of owning a single-family home is more or less hardwired in most of us; we’ve seen several people renting apartments but buying a home after marriage. Today, things are a bit different, and we see plenty of people and married couples staying in apartments because of their advantages.
When you buy a house, you become the sole owner of said property, and you may do as you please on it, but you will have to pay taxes, and every renovation and repair process will be your responsibility. Yard maintenance is often overlooked, which can also become time-consuming and expensive.
Chores around the home and general maintenance can take up a large portion of your time, which you won’t always be okay with, especially after a long workday.
On the other hand, there’s much less maintenance work associated with apartments, as landlords usually take care of that. People can also live as long in an apartment as they like. The landlord pays the taxes, but you might not be able to modify anything in the apartment without the owner’s approval. Also, your privacy may suffer a bit, and you may have to deal with unpleasant neighbors and limited parking.
How to move to an apartment: Declutter and measure
Making your house fit into the size of an apartment can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As a matter of fact, downsizing can be an excellent opportunity to declutter and get rid of your unwanted possessions.
So, how to move to an apartment and ensure you’ll have enough space? Make a list of your belongings, and measure everything in the home and the apartment beforehand. Figure out which pieces of furniture you will move and which you will most likely have to let go of.
You can also invest in compact furnishings, rent a storage unit, and sell or give away your stuff. Just ensure you give yourself enough time to decide what stays and what goes.
Organize the move
Without a doubt, packing is the most stressful part of the entire moving process. If you want to take the DIY route, we highly recommend getting the packing supplies first; always stick to the most effective packing guidelines, ensure padding for your valuables, and label your boxes.
The key here is to remain organized. There’s no single method to pack your things, but adequate planning and organization are essential to keep your cool and avoid unwanted stress.
Get help if needed
You can always hire professionals for house moving or apartment moving if you have a busy schedule and don’t necessarily have time to do it yourself. This can be especially helpful if you have several expensive and valuable belongings which you want to have moved professionally by experts. The truth is, having a skilled and experienced moving time can make the entire process more streamlined and less stressful. As such, feel free to contact Lifestyle Moving & Storage so we can discuss your situation today.
