Looking for your first apartment is a big deal. There is so much to consider when deciding on your first apartment, such as location and finding the right roommate. Everyone at some point has embarked on this life-changing milestone, so you are not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process.

Are you a student or young adult looking to live in an apartment for the first time? Here are seven tips to help you get started on your journey, from scheduling your move to setting up your utilities!

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1. Research: Though this step might seem obvious, it is very important when you’re looking to live in an apartment for the first time. Before going to any apartment community/complex, do thorough research on both the property and the area surrounding it. Read reviews from either current or past tenants to get a good idea of what their experiences were like while living there. While of course everyone will have their own unique experience, you should be able to get a clear idea of how you will like the place based on the reviews. It’s also worthwhile to ask acquaintances, friends, or family if they are familiar with this particular place and what their opinion is about it, as sometimes the input of those closest to you can truly help influence your decision-making process!

2. Look for Red Flags: When searching for the right apartment, look for red flags to help you narrow down your choices. Red flags can look like a number of things, but the main ones you want to look for are poor maintenance, the landlord, and safety. Signs of poor maintenance can include musty smells, visible mold, water damage, pests/remnants of pests, and stale smoke smell. These are all problems that you do not want to deal with in your first apartment and if you are noticing these issues in a showing, the chances are that your landlord does not want to deal with them either. Secondly,  when you embark on your apartment search journey, be aware of the attitudes and quirks of your potential landlord. Lastly, when looking at an apartment community and units within that community, you want to make sure it is safe and in good condition.

3. De-Clutter: One common problem most of us share is that we all have unnecessary clutter that we’ve been holding on to for a number of months or years. This may be old documents, clothes that don’t fit, outdated electronics, etc. You don’t want to lug around this clutter to your new apartment, so it’s a good idea to clear any clutter you may have. Doing so will make the process easier by not only reducing the number of items to pack but also lessening the items to transport from one place to another.

4. Make a List of Everything You Need: Moving into your first apartment can become overwhelming really fast. Between the actual moving process to getting settled, it is so easy to fall into disorganized chaos along the way. To help you stay on track, make a list of everything you need for the move and your apartment. This list should include everything from furniture and appliances to cleaning supplies and toiletries. When you have a physical list of what you need, your mind can focus on other responsibilities instead of trying to painfully remember all that you need.

5. Schedule Your Move: When planning your first apartment move, having a set schedule will be of great help. Plan out when you need to be out of your current living space, whether that be a dorm or another apartment, then establish when your move-in date is. From there, you can establish how much time you have in between to gather your belongings and physically move them to your new apartment. If you’re hiring movers, schedule a specific time for them to collect your items. If you’re enlisting the help of friends, arrange a date and time for everyone to help.

6. Set Up Your Utilities: While you’re planning to move, don’t forget about setting up your utilities as well. While some utilities can be delayed, such as cable or internet, others, like water, heat, and electricity, are more important. You’ll want to have these necessary utilities set up before you move in, as you don’t want to be without water or electricity- who wants to unpack in the dark or shower at a friend’s house? After you’re settled, you can set up other utilities and comfortably look through different plans that work through.

7. Talk to Your Neighbors: Moving to a new apartment can feel uncomfortable at points because you’re in a new place, surrounded by people you don’t know. Talking to your neighbors and establishing a friendly relationship with them can undoubtedly help you get to know everyone living around you and make more connections. You never know when you’ll need a hand with something and your neighbor could save the day!

Making the leap to move into your first apartment can be scary at first, but when you have a support system and the right resources to guide you along the way, the process will be one to remember.