Moving Out Of Home For The First Time: Budgeting, Boxes & Beyond

Moving out of home for the first time is often deemed the first step towards independence.

It’s a huge milestone, especially for young people that can fill an individual with pride and dread at the same time.

The initial thought of having to budget for yourself and stand on your own two feet can feel daunting and can cause people to question themselves on whether or not they are truly ready to face the next chapter in their lives.

The good news is that with careful planning, your first move can start smoothly and stress-free.

Our checklist guide is packed with all the essential information, important considerations, and handy tips needed to make any move in Sydney as simple as possible for first-time movers.

Key Takeaways

• Plan Ahead: Assess if you’re truly ready to move out, considering financial stability and personal reasons for moving.
• Budgeting: Calculate initial and ongoing costs, including rent, utilities, and moving expenses. Use tools like expense trackers to manage finances effectively.
• Choosing a Home: Consider factors like lifestyle, budget, and future plans to select the right place in Sydney that meets your needs.
• Moving With Others: Share costs and responsibilities by moving with trusted friends, but be aware of potential challenges in shared living spaces.
• Dealing with Landlords: Understand your lease agreement thoroughly and maintain a good relationship by paying rent on time and documenting the property’s condition upon moving in.
• Packing and Moving: Hire reliable movers, possibly on weekdays for better rates, and to keep essential documents safe.
• Post-Move Management: Stay organised and frugal (especially if on a tight budget), adjusting to new living arrangements and managing ongoing expenses to avoid financial strain.
• Download A Free First Time Moving Checklist

Understanding the Basics of Moving Out

There are thousands of reasons why you may be considering moving out of your home for the first time. Before you do anything ask yourself whether these are the right reasons, if the timing is right and what the possible repercussions are for doing so.

Assess Your Readiness to Moving Out

First, you should begin planning ahead. This is not only important to ensuring a successful move if you do decide to go ahead, but can also used to assess whether you’re truly ready to move out.

For example, ask yourself if the reason why you are considering a move is a knee-jerk reaction to an event that has made you want to relocate. For example:

• Do you need a bigger place?
• Is the thrill of independence calling your name?
• Are you pursuing career goals which necessitate a move?
• Have you fallen out with someone?

Either way, whatever your reasons you should ensure that you do not simply act on impulse and that there are truly legitimate reasons to entertain the idea of a move.

Along with these considerations, you will also need to think about your financial stability and your ability to handle responsibilities on your own.

All of these things may impact whether or not you can sustain leaving the nest for the long run.

Once you have considered all factors, you should have a clearer frame of mind on whether or not you should proceed.

Budgeting For Your First Move

As highlighted above, budgeting is key to avoiding financial issues in the foreseeable future.

Factors to be considered include initial moving costs such as packing materials, and hiring the best removalist Sydney has to offer as well as ongoing expenses such as paying rent, managing utility bills and groceries.

As a pro tip, it also helps to research the average rent prices in your desired area if you are leasing a property.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to effectively handle your finances more efficiently:

• Track Your Income And Expenses: It helps to create an initial list of your income streams such as money earned from your job or money in a savings account. Then, to stay on top of ongoing expenses keep a log of every dollar you spend monthly. If you want to go even more granular, you can also categorise your spending into ‘essentials’ such as rent and food bills whilst creating a secondary category for ‘non-essentials’ such as entertainment and eating out.
• Forecast Future Expenses: On top of routine costs, it helps if you can plan/anticipate any future costs that may occur prior to you moving out for the first time. This will not only help you be better prepared for when these additional costs hit you but also prevent financial hardship from creeping up over time.
• Estimate ‘One-Time Moving Costs’: If you are planning on renting a truck or using a professional moving company to help you relocate in Sydney, then you’ll need to factor in these additional moving costs.
  • Obtain moving quotes from multiple companies to choose the best price and forecast costs more accurately.
  • Consider how much money is needed for packing materials and supplies.
  • Consider whether you want to take out a removals insurance policy to protect belongings during the move.

Remember to be careful when hiring a moving company. Do a thorough background check on them and ensure they are accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association to avoid being scammed.

Our article on Avoiding Moving Scams in Sydney can also help.

Choosing The Right Place To Live

Settling on a place to live in Sydney is a big decision; one that can impact your happiness and well-being.

It’s not just about finding a roof over your head; it’s about locating and identifying a place that you can call home and one that complements your personal lifestyle and priorities.

For this reason, it is important to take your time and consider all factors with family and friends before taking the plunge. You can even draw up a list of pros and cons for each place you go and see.

Some of the key factors you should consider when moving out the first time include:

• Lifestyle: Do you enjoy living in a bustling city such as the Sydney CBD or are you someone who prefers peace and quiet in a more rural area? You should also give thought to what recreational activities you enjoy doing, daily routines and other hobbies that should be available in your chosen neighbourhood.
• Budget: Affordability is crucial to being able to move out in the first place. Prior to your first move, carefully research housing costs or the rent in specific areas you are considering (especially for moving interstate). Factor in taxes and utilities if possible. This article on how to save money on your Sydney move offers additional advice.
• Needs vs. Luxury: To shortlist an area, you should also categorise essentials. Start by making a list of your ‘must-haves’ (good public transport to get to work, educational institutions for children and overall crime rates for the area. Next, contemplate ‘nice-to-haves’. These include anything from cinemas, a nearby shopping centre and whether there is a vibrant nightlife you can take advantage of. Remember, priorities should be based on your basic needs so it pays to be realistic when considering the pros and cons of an area in Sydney.
• Future Plans: Finally, you should ponder whether your moving out of home is a temporary move or a long-term commitment. Some people’s jobs for example require them to be at a specific location for months. Consider how your needs might evolve over time.

By carefully considering the factors listed above, you can narrow down your search for choosing your ideal place to move to. Remember, prioritise necessities over everything else.

Moving With Others? Choose Wisely

Moving out with someone you know can be highly beneficial and comes with many benefits:

• Your First Move Isn’t As Daunting: Sharing the adventure of moving out for the first time with someone else, provides an added feeling of security as you do not have to face the unknown on your own.
• Established Foundation of Trust: Already knowing the person you are moving in with reduces the risk of unexpected or unknown poor living habits as well as being able to trust your fellow housemates with belongings.
• Financial Benefits: You can split associated expenses such as sharing rent, utility bills and other expenses such as groceries.
• Built-in Companionship: The chances are that you are moving with that person because enjoy spending time with them. This can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in a new area when first arriving.
• Easier Roommate Negotiation Knowing that person means that you will already be living with someone who has common ground with you as well as similar living preferences.

While there are plenty of obvious advantages to moving with someone you know, there are also potential cons which should be noted:

✖ A Chance To Strain Friendships If Sharing A Place Does Not Work Out

✖ Less Privacy and Alone Time

✖ Clashing Of Living Habits

✖ Financial Disagreements

✖Increased Difficulty In Ending The Living Situation If Things Go Wrong

Renting for the first time is an excellent way to live independently for the first time (not to mention exploring new Sydney suburbs), but dealing with landlords at first can sometimes feel daunting. You don’t know them and you are liable to keep their property in the same condition as you found it.

The key to remember is that, just like tenants, landlords also come in all shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, it is complete ‘luck of the draw’ on who your landlord might be when inspecting rooms for the first time.

While some homeowners will be friendly and approachable, happy to have a chat, other landlords may be more introverted, come across as unfriendly or prefer minimal interaction.

The key things to remember when dealing with landlords are :

• Understand Your Lease Agreement: Before signing your lease, don’t just skim over it – read it thoroughly! A well-understood lease protects both you and the landlord. Know your rights and understand what’s expected of you in terms of rental payments, maintenance responsibilities, subletting rules, and pet policies. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions about anything unclear to you. Remember, it is far wiser to scrutinise an agreement before signing one and exposing yourself to nasty surprises later on!
• Pay Rent On Time: Nothing rubs up a landlord the wrong way more than being late with your rent payments. By paying on time you can easily prevent strains on your relationship between you and your landlord as well as any ‘late-payment’ fees that might occur (if it is in the lease agreement). Consider setting up automatic payments if you have trouble remembering to pay on time.
• Document Everything: Once you move in, remember to take pictures (or videos) of your home or apartment’s current condition. Pay special attention to any pre-existing damage and document these in detail. This will prevent you from being blamed for existing wear and tear and stop your deposit from being charged for something you didn’t do! Also, be sure to keep copies of all receipts, lease agreements and repair requests for future reference. For more helpful information visit the NSW Tenancy Information Page.
• Be a Good Tenant: Finally, remember to respect the property you are renting as well as your fellow housemates and neighbours. Basic considerations such as keeping noise levels down at night or maintaining a clean and responsible living environment for others not only make you a more desirable tenant but also increase the odds of getting your security deposit back in full. It may also earn you a positive reference for your next tenancy!

Things You Need When Moving Out For The First Time

Whether you are moving to a new home or apartment, there are many items you will need to make your initial relocation more comfortable. Our ‘moving out for the first time’ shopping list will help you.

Essentials for the First Night and Week

• Bedding: Mattress (if unfurnished), Pillows, Sheets, Duvet/Doona.
• Bathroom Essentials: Toothbrush (and Toothpaste), Towels, Toiletries (Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, etc.).
• Kitchen Necessities: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Cooking Utensils, Cutlery (Forks, Knives, Spoons), Pots and Pans, Basic Cooking Tools (E.g. Spatula, Can Opener, Tongs), Chopping Board, Kitchen Scissors, Foil or Cling Film, Oven Gloves, Washing Up Equipment.
• Cleaning Supplies: Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Garbage Bags, Toilet Paper.

Making Your New Place Feel Like Home:

• Furniture: Bed Frame (If unfurnished), Tables and Chairs, A Couch.
• Kitchen Appliances: Basics Include A Microwave, Fridge (Check If Your Rental Includes It), Toaster, and Kettle.
• Storage: Shelves, Drawers, Storage Bins.
• Lighting: Lamps And Additional Lighting.
• Tech: TVs, Radios, Speakers, Games Consoles, Smart Home Devices.

Additional Extras

• Cleaning Supplies: Vacuum Cleaner, Mops, Brooms, Dustpan.
• Laundry Essentials: Laundry Basket, Drying Rack.
• Shower Essentials: Hairdryer, Razors, Bath Mats, Shower Caps, Shower Curtain.
• Tech Essentials: Chargers for All Your Devices.
• Toolbox: Basic Toolkit (Screwdrivers, Hammer, Pliers).
• First-aid Kit: Always Used To Have One.

Hiring Movers? Weekdays Might Be A Better Choice

If you are considering hiring professional Sydney removalists, bear in mind that the time of the week you decide to schedule one can impact the cost.

Just like with many other industries, moving companies also experience fluctuations in supply and demand. Most people are busy with work and other activities during the week, so they prefer to move on weekends. This higher demand for movers on weekends pushes up prices.

Weekdays, on the other hand, are not as busy for movers, so they can offer cheaper rates.

Keep Important Documents Safe

Keeping your important documents safe and organised is also vital when moving out for the first time.

Not only does this make it easier to locate important papers when you need them, but also lessens the risk of losing them in the chaos of a move.

Types of important documents can include:

• Birth Certificate
• ID Cards
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Bank Account Statements
• Loan Documents
• Medicare Card

To help keep everything in one place, consider buying a folder.

Staying Frugal After You’ve Moved In

Renting a property in a city like Sydney is expensive and can hit your wallet hard, especially after paying off other bills on top of your rent.

For this reason, keeping on top of your finances is super important. Fortunately, there are additional solutions you can consider to help pull back a dollar or two.

Before Your Move

• Get The Best Deal If Hiring Removalists: Compare quotes from multiple movers before even moving to ensure you get the best price possible and be vigilant over extra cheaper prices. Remember if the quote a mover provides is too good to be true it could be a scam. Look for deals and discounts. At ZOOM Removals, for example, our Cheap Removalists deal on Tuesdays is extremely popular among movers. For more information, check out our article on how to choose a removalist in Sydney.
• Take Advantage of Free Boxes: Find them at supermarkets, borrow from friends or if using a moving company use one that provides free moving boxes.

After Moving In

• Only Buy Groceries You Will Use: Certain foods such as bread, meat and fresh produce can go off quickly and if not used in time will generate wastage. Not only this, but you’ll end up wasting money as you have to eventually buy these products again anyway.
• Become Utilities Savvy: A great way to reduce the amount you spend on bills is to scrutinise your electricity and water usage. For example, consider switching to LED light bulbs, taking shorter showers, or remembering to turn off air conditioning units if not in the room. Other ideas include considering alternative internet or mobile network providers at cheaper rates.
• Buy Second-Hand Items: If you are on a strict budget, then why not consider buying items from second-hand shops or charities? You can find top bargains on ‘gently used’ items at a fraction of the retail price.