So, you’ve finally moved into your New York City apartment, unpacked all the boxes, and taken your first deep breath. Thankfully, the hard part is over. Hopefully, you’re enjoying your new place and getting accustomed to all the adjustments you’ve made. Now, in order to make the next few weeks easy and productive, we’ve provided you with a list of 11 things to do after moving into a new apartment.
Moving Checklist for Your New Apartment
Switch Mailing Addresses
Have you switched over your mailing address from your old place to your new apartment? It’s important to do this as soon as possible. Thankfully, it’s simple and straightforward. You can now handle the entire process online, which is a lifesaver. No waiting in line or forgetting important documents at home. You simply log on, provide the necessary information, and pay the low fee to change your address. You’ll get an email confirmation and the change of address will be effective immediately. This is also a good time to remember to transfer your magazine subscriptions to your new address. Ideally, you should do this prior to the move, as it can sometimes take a number of weeks for subscriptions to successfully forward to a new address, but go ahead and do it now if you haven’t already.
Meet the Neighbors
Meeting the neighbors can be uncomfortable and strange, but get it out of the way. If you wait too long – say longer than a couple of weeks – it can really get awkward. Hopefully your neighbors come over and meet you, but you can’t count on that these days. Just knock on the door, introduce yourself, and tell them you’re new to the neighborhood. Who knows, maybe your new best friend is living next door.
Organize All New Documents
Now for an extremely practical tip. During a move – especially if it’s one across state lines – you acquire a lot of documents and forms. Now is a good opportunity to get organized and consolidate this information. Buy a filing cabinet or dedicated bin and put all important documents inside. This includes warranties, lease agreements, insurance information, etc. Having these documents at your fingertips will make it a lot easier to find the information you’re looking for in the future.
Collect and Send Receipts
Was your move work-related? Is your employer planning on reimbursing you? It’s important to gather all your receipts and make copies of moving documents so that your employer can cut you a check as soon as possible. If you wait too long, you risk losing receipts or forgetting things.
Get New Documentation
If you moved across state lines, you have to jump through a lot more hoops after moving in. You’ll need a new license plate, car tags, driver’s license, insurance, and more. Thankfully, the DMV has a handy resource that tells you exactly what you need when moving to a new state. This includes things like voter registration, vehicle inspections, and tax information.
Locate Important Places
One of the more challenging aspects of moving is that you have to get used to the new area in which you live. Even if you’re just moving to a new neighborhood in the same city, you’ll quickly find that you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. Take an afternoon and find all the important places in your area. This includes things like hospitals, schools, supermarkets, gas stations, and pet parks. This little activity can save you precious time when you’re in a hurry and looking for a specific place.
Find a New Doctor
Are you no longer living in close proximity to your primary care doctor? You want to live as close as possible to your doctor, so it may be time to find a new one. Start by determining which doctors are in your medical plan’s network. Next, ask some friends, family members, or coworkers for referrals. You’ll feel much more comfortable if you know someone who trusts the doctor. Finally, set up a consultation and feel free to ask any questions.
Gradually Buy New Furnishings
If you’ve significantly up-sized or sold a lot of your things to make the move easier, it can be overwhelming to think about all of the household items and furnishings you need to fill your new apartment. Instead of buying everything at once, break up your purchases and spread them out over a span of a few weeks. You’ll feel much better this way, and it’ll give you an opportunity to make sure you’re only buying things that you truly need.
Consider Security
How safe and secure does the apartment feel? It’s always smart to think about security, especially if you have small children. Take a look around the apartment unit and complex and see if there are any security features. If you feel uncomfortable with the current state of things, it may be wise to invest in a security system.
Adjust Your Budget
Do you have a financial budget? Now is a great time to reassess your financial situation and adjust things according to your new expenses. If you’ve moved to a different state, this may be an ideal time to switch banks or financial advisers.
Just Relax
Finally, now’s a good time to simply relax. The move-in process can take a lot out of you and there’s no better time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new apartment. While all of these things are important, it’s best to wait until you’re ready to proceed. If you rush through some of these steps, you’ll end up with some big problems on your hands. It’s okay to let things slow down a bit.
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
