The ultimate checklist for couples that plan to move in together covers key tasks such as setting a budget, coordinating logistics, merging belongings, dividing chores, and organizing your new space. It also consists of tasks such as hiring long-distance moving services and communicating living preferences. But first of all, a checklist helps ensure a smooth and stress-free transition into cohabitation, allowing you to enjoy the rewards of living together.
The Ultimate Moving in Together Checklist: Everything You Need to Know
Exciting times are ahead if you and your partner have finally decided to take the plunge and start cohabitating. But before you start packing up your stuff, it’s important to have a solid plan in place. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the ultimate moving in together checklist.
Prepare for the Move
Deciding to move in with your partner is a big step in your relationship. It’s exciting, and you’re probably looking forward to sharing your space with the one you love. However, the process of starting a life together can be daunting.
There are so many things to consider, from finding the right apartment (we’ll give you a hint – look on NeighborhoodScout) to dealing with your belongings. Here are some relocation tips and pieces of advice to help you prepare for the move ahead.
Move With Confidence
Get Free Quote
Communicate and Discuss Expectations With Your Partner
Before making the decision to move in together, it’s essential to discuss your expectations and any concerns. You need to be on the same page when it comes to your living arrangements.
Talk about what you each want in your space, whether it’s decorating (it’s important to make an apartment feel like home), cleanliness, or having separate rooms. This will help you to avoid any misunderstandings once you’re living together.
Find the Right Living Space
Finding the right living space is crucial when starting a cohabitation. Make a first apartment checklist, and keep in mind that you’ll want a place that suits both you and your lifestyle. Consider factors such as location, size, and amenities. Decide on your must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Don’t compromise on things that are important to you, such as safety or convenience, and remember to use tools to help you check how safe your neighborhood is. It’s important to find a place that feels like home to both of you, that’s not too expensive, but in a decent location, too.
Packing
Our expert moving teams are trained to ensure the safety of your personal belongings.
Learn More
Storage
Cross Country Moving Company is the most trusted name in auto industry in the country.
Learn More
Auto Transport
Cross Country Moving Company is the most trusted name in auto industry in the country.
Learn More
Establish a Budget and Financial Arrangements
Living together involves sharing expenses, and it’s important to establish a budget before you move in. Determine how much you each can contribute to rent, utilities, groceries, and other expenses. Make sure to discuss how you will split costs and determine a fair way to handle bills. You may also consider tracking your expenses and setting financial goals together.
Sort and Declutter Belongings
Cohabitation also means combining your belongings, which can be overwhelming. Start by decluttering your items and getting rid of things you don’t need or want. This will make the move more organized, and you’ll have more space for things you truly care about. You can do the following:
- Organize a garage sale and sell some stuff,
- Donate things like old appliances,
- Throw away things that you don’t need and are not usable anymore.
Hire Cross Country Moving Company
Moving cross-country can be very stressful, and it is recommended to choose reputable cross-country movers among various cross-country moving companies. They will help you immensely with their cross-country moving services. Long-distance movers can pack, load, and transport your belongings without any hassle.
Hiring a long-distance moving company also reduces relocation stress and minimizes the risk of damage during transport. Choose a company that is licensed, offers comprehensive moving insurance, and has positive reviews from previous customers.
Gather Essential Items for Your New Home
Relocating to a new home is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time living on your own or with your partner. Aside from the stress of packing and unpacking your things, you should also think about the essential items you need to make your new place feel like home. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry because we’ve compiled a list of the basic things you need to gather for your new home.
Furniture and Appliances
One of the first things you should consider is relocating furniture and appliances. Think of items essential for your daily routine, such as a bed, sofa, dining table, and chairs. You also need appliances like a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, washing machine, and dryer.
Don’t forget to consider your budget and prioritize your needs over wants. You can start with the essentials and then slowly add more furniture and appliances as your budget allows.
Kitchen Essentials
Another important room in your home is the kitchen. It’s where you prepare and cook your meals, so it’s essential to have basic kitchen items such as pots and pans, utensils, plates, bowls, glasses, and mugs.
Also, consider small appliances like a toaster, coffee maker, blender, and microwave. Don’t forget to buy some basic pantry staples too, such as salt, sugar, cooking oil, and spices.
Bathroom Necessities
When it comes to the bathroom, you’ll need to start with the essentials like a toilet, sink, bathtub or shower, and a mirror. You also need to purchase towels, bath mats, a soap dispenser, shower curtains, and a toilet paper holder. Additionally, you should also stock up on bathroom essentials like toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste.
Bedroom Essentials
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so you want to make sure it’s comfortable and relaxing. You’ll need to purchase a bed frame, mattress, pillows, and sheets. You may also want to include a dresser or a wardrobe to store your clothing and linens. Curtains or blinds will also help you get a good night’s sleep.
Don’t Forget to Manage Utilities and Services
Now that you’re all set to move in together, it’s time to take care of the practical stuff. Here are the most important steps you should handle:
- Setting up utilities (electricity, water, internet, gas). You should contact the service providers in your new area, schedule installations, and ensure everything is up and running before you settle in.
- Updating addresses for mail and subscriptions. You should notify relevant parties of your address change to avoid missing important mail or deliveries.
- Researching and selecting service providers for cable and internet. This means finding time to compare options, read reviews, and choose the best providers for your needs.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure a smooth transition and have all the essential utilities and services in place for your new home.
There Are Also Legal and Administrative Tasks to Consider
Starting a life together involves more than just packing boxes and picking out furniture. It’s essential to take care of various legal and administrative tasks to ensure a smooth transition. Start by reviewing and updating rental or lease agreements, especially if you’re moving into a new place. Familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions to avoid any surprises down the line.
Additionally, take the time to understand insurance coverage for your new home, whether it’s renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance. Make sure you have adequate protection for your belongings and the property itself. Another crucial step is updating identification documents and official records, such as driver’s licenses, passports, and voter registration. Don’t forget to notify relevant authorities of your change of address.
Lastly, if you and your partner plan to merge your finances, consider opening joint bank accounts or making necessary financial arrangements to streamline your financial management. Taking care of these legal and administrative tasks will help set a solid foundation for your new chapter of living together.
The majority of young individuals are highly open to cohabiting couples. Almost 80% of individuals in the age range of 18 to 29 believe that it is appropriate for an unmarried couple to cohabitate, even if they have no intention of getting married.
Make a Moving Day Checklist
In the chaos of packing up your stuff and saying goodbye to friends and family, it’s easy to forget things that are important for your first few days in your new home. That’s why creating a relocation day checklist is essential to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transition.
Prepare a Bag of Essentials
When packing for your relocation, don’t forget to create an essentials bag that you can easily access during the first few days in your new place. This bag should include things like toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers for your electronics, and anything else that you might need right away. Having an essentials bag means you won’t have to go digging through boxes to find your toothbrush or phone charger.
Label Your Boxes
When packing your belongings, label your boxes with the contents and the room they are intended for. This will make it easier to unpack when you arrive at your new home and ensure that everything is in its proper place. You can use colored stickers or markers to help differentiate boxes based on their contents or destination.
Pack Prescriptions and Medical Records
If you or your partner have any prescriptions or medical conditions, make sure that you pack your medications and medical records in an easily accessible location. You never know when you might need them, so it’s better to be prepared. Also, make sure to notify your doctors of your new address, so they can update their records and continue to provide you with the best healthcare possible.
Say Goodbye
Don’t forget to say goodbye to your friends and family before you leave. Plan a going-away party or a dinner to spend some quality time together before you go. It’s important to acknowledge the people who have been a part of your life and to let them know that you’ll miss them. Plus, it will give you a chance to reminisce and create new memories before starting your next adventure.
Unpack and Start Settling In
The thought of starting a new life with your significant other in a brand-new place can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of organization and prioritization, unpacking and settling in can be a breeze. In this guide, we will provide tips on how to prioritize your unpacking based on essential items so that you can start feeling at home in your new place.
Prioritize Unpacking Based on Essential Items
When unpacking after a relocation, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of boxes and belongings that need to be unpacked. To make the process more manageable, start with the essential items. These are items that you use on a daily basis, such as toiletries, bedding, and kitchen essentials.
Next, before you start unpacking, it’s helpful to make a plan. Decide which room to start with and break the room down into smaller sections. For example, if you’re unpacking the bedroom, start with the bed and then move on to the dresser, closet, and nightstands. Having a plan will make the unpacking process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Also, keep in mind that unpacking doesn’t need to be done in one day. It’s important to take your time and not rush the process. Unpacking is also an opportunity to declutter and get rid of items that you no longer need or want if you haven’t done it already prior to the relocation. Take the time to go through your belongings and decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
Having healthy meals can be a bit of an issue until you fully settle, so the following video gives you some ideas for easy meal prep for you and your partner.
Moving in Together Checklist Will Make the Relocation Easy
Moving in together is an exciting and stressful change, but with some careful planning and organization, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Take a deep breath, don’t let the large task of relocating feel intimidating, and create a before moving in together checklist.
Then, break your checklist points down into convenient steps. From making lists of items to bring to arranging for relocation services, you will have a stress-free relocation if you plan ahead. Combine all the necessary tasks while staying mindful of the cost of moving too.
Consider getting friends involved who can help pack or ensure fragile items stay safe during transport. Remember that living with the person(s) you love isn’t easy but worth it! At the very least, having your fantastic checklist will ensure a smooth move-in day! Plan and organize everything according to your checklist, then call our team at Cross Country Moving Company, and before you know it, you two will be cozying up in one place!
FAQ
Why Is Having a Moving in Together Checklist Important?
A comprehensive checklist is important because it helps you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget anything important. It can also help you and your partner communicate about expectations and needs for your new shared space.
How Early Should We Start Preparing for the Move?
It’s never too early to start preparing for a relocation. In fact, the earlier you start, the more time you have to plan and organize everything. However, if you have a set move-in date, it’s recommended to start preparing at least 2-3 months prior.
What Should We Discuss With Our Partner Before Moving in Together?
Before starting your life together, it’s important to discuss your lifestyles, values, habits, and boundaries. You should also talk about finances, such as how bills will be divided and who will pay for what. Additionally, it’s crucial to communicate about household chores and responsibilities.
How Do We Find the Right Living Space That Suits Both Our Needs?
Finding the right living space that suits both your needs can be challenging, but it’s important to compromise and prioritize what’s most important. Consider factors such as location, size, amenities, and price when searching for a place to live.
What Factors Should We Consider When Establishing a Budget?
Some factors to consider when establishing a budget include rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment. It’s important to create a realistic budget that allows for both your financial needs and goals.
How Can We Effectively Sort and Declutter Our Belongings?
When sorting and decluttering your belongings, it’s helpful to break them down into categories such as keep, donate, sell, and throw away. Start with items that are easy to sort through, such as clothes or kitchenware, and work your way up to larger items like furniture.
What Are the Essential Furniture and Appliances We Need for Our New Home?
Essential furniture and appliances for a new home include a bed, couch, dining table and chairs, refrigerator, stove or oven, microwave, and washer and dryer (optionally). It’s important to prioritize which items you need first and allocate your budget accordingly.
What Kitchen Essentials Should We Include in Our Checklist?
For kitchen essentials, consider items such as pots and pans, utensils, plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, and basic cooking ingredients. Determine what kind of cooking you both enjoy and prioritize accordingly.
Which Bathroom Necessities Are Essential for a Shared Space?
Bathroom necessities for a shared space include towels, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and a shower curtain. It’s important to communicate about personal preferences and habits when it comes to bathroom products.
What Should We Consider When It Comes to Bedroom Essentials?
When it comes to bedroom essentials, consider items such as a mattress, sheets, pillows, blankets, and storage solutions. Communication about sleeping habits and preferences is crucial to ensure a comfortable and peaceful shared space.
