Life can take you in all sorts of places and occasionally that place might be in a different apartment in the same building that you are already calling home. Whether you are moving to a larger unit or simply a nicer apartment, unfortunately, it doesn’t matter to your belongings that they are not moving very far. Even though much of the work remains the same there are certain advantages to choosing to move in the same complex. Take a look at our guide to make sure you can maximize your advantage and have the smoothest possible move to your new unit!
Align With Your Landlord
Depending on the company or the individual, even if you are moving in the same building, you might have to re-do some of your paperwork. Make sure that you speak to the property manager about items such as signing a new lease and if you have to go through the screening process again so that you have all of your odds and ends ready when your moving day comes. Thankfully, most landlords will make you sign a new lease, but will waive other new tenant fees if you have that conversation early and have been a quality tenant, but if you don’t ask you could be in for some unwanted surprises!
Inquire About Your Unit
One of the potential advantages of moving to a new unit within your complex is that it could be vacant while you still have your lease on your current apartment. Depending on the relationship that you have with your landlord or property manager, it can be worth asking if you can get access to your new unit early so that you can move some of your stuff gradually over the course of your last month in your unit instead of having to execute your move all in the one day as is typically the case during a move.
Manage Your Move
As tempting as it can be to cut some corners since you aren’t taking your things far, make sure that you treat your move to a new unit just like you would if you were moving across the country. If you are hiring movers, make sure that you still do your due diligence and hire a reputable moving company that carries proper insurance and will help you move your stuff safely and securely. You can already expect some savings from not needing a truck and needing less boxes for items like clothing so make sure that those savings don’t evaporate from choosing a cheap mover that damages your furniture.
Set Up Your Utilities
Depending on the set-up of your building and what is included in your rent, you might have to set up your utilities. Make sure that you ask your landlord and are prepared early. When moving so close, it is natural to forget certain odds and ends that will make your new space way less comfortable when you move into it. Make sure that you have transferred your utilities to your new unit and have your cable and internet appointments set so that you can enjoy your new space immediately after your move.
Pack Creatively
Although certain aspects of a move need to be executed as any move would be, where you can appropriately cut some corners is in packing and moving some of your smaller items. Since moving boxes and supplies are designed partially to protect your items in a truck and you will not need to use a truck you can get some savings of time and money when packing your smaller items. Some ideas to save are the following:
- Leverage what you already own by using items such as laundry baskets and boxes you already have to move stuff into your new unit.
- Put your clothes on hangers and cover them with trash bags so that you can take them straight from one closet to your new one.
- Rather than emptying your drawers and packing them, just take the whole drawer out as is and move it into your new unit.
- If you have access early, take your items out room by room to break up the moving process.
Leverage Your Neighbors
Although this isn’t the case for everyone, one of the best advantages of moving within your complex is that you already have a built-in network of friends that you have lived near in your old unit. Even though no one enjoys moving, your neighbors can be a great resource to help you get yourself settled in your new unit. Make sure that you have it planned out and consider providing food and refreshments to make the process more enjoyable, but ask for help to save yourself time and reduce your risk of injury by doing too much yourself.