Moving Out of College – and Into Your Next Stage of Life

Looking ahead? When it’s time to move on, this checklist can help you move out.
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Moving out of college is oftentimes one of the biggest transitions young people make. Not only do you have to leave the comfort of your college or university, but you have to pick where to live, who to live with, and where you want to work – all seemingly within a matter of weeks.

We might not be able to help with all of those decisions – but we can help you plan and prepare for moving out day. Before you even start packing, check out our tips for moving out of college below to make this huge change in your life go as smoothly as possible.

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Tips for Moving Out of College

Get your list in order and moving onto the next chapter may not be easier, but definitely more organized.
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By the time the end of senior year rolls around, most college students have faced the inevitable: the rubber is about to hit the road. No more reading lists or summer vacations. No more around-the-clock access to friends. No more dorm rooms and cafeterias. And for those not seeking post-grad degrees, no more school years.

Moving out of college is just one step in a long line of steps towards becoming established as an adult and, for many, it is the first step. Keep reading for some of our top tips for new grads moving out of dorms or apartments and on towards the next stage of their lives.

Check your lease. If you’ve been living off-campus, a house or apartment move out is in your near future. Long before your graduation ceremony, check your lease for all the info you need to successfully leave your current spot. Specifically, look to see how much advance notice you need to give prior to leaving and if there are any major tasks, you’re expected to complete to get your security deposit back. The last thing you want is to be surprised by some lease term you forgot about.
Decide where to go. This is a big decision – maybe the biggest since you decided which college to attend or which major to pursue. Give it some good thought. Consider the job prospects, cost of living, entertainment and culture scenes, access to nature, proximity to family, and who – if anyone – you know who’ll also be moving there. While it may seem daunting to consider all of this, also remember that nothing has to be permanent. If you don’t like where you end up, you can always move again.
Pick your move out day. For students moving out of dorms, the school will typically give a day or two after graduation to get ‘er done. For apartment move outs (or ins!), you’ll likely need to schedule a window of time on a specific day – especially if you’re planning to use the freight elevator.
Schedule a moving company. If you’re moving out of college, you’re likely one of hundreds if not thousands of grads flooding the local moving and storage markets. Schedule a moving company (and rent a storage unit) as soon as you know your move out day. If you’re planning on making the move yourself, reserve a van or truck well in advance of when you actually need it.
Give your property manager a heads-up. Once you know your move out day, get in touch with your property manager to let him or her know the plan. You’ll want to find out when to schedule your move out inspection, how the leasing company defines “wear and tear,” and how many days’ notice you need to give (if that info isn’t included in your lease). Your property manager will likely have access to resources to help you with any specific issue you encounter, so get them on your side in the beginning of the process.
Write your moving out checklist. We’re big fans of creating moving out checklists to keep organized (and stay sane) throughout the entire process. We’re also big fans of creating digital moving out folders so that you can keep all your important documents and emails close at hand. Make sure you can access your list and folder on your phone to help you stay on top of tasks and to dos while on the go.
Gather your packing and cleaning supplies. Check neighborhood message boards or social media for free boxes (or stop by CubeSmart to buy new), buy a few rolls of packing tape, and get ready to decide whether to toss, donate, store, or bring every single thing you own. While you’re at it, pick up cleaning supplies so you can make progress long before your final inspection. At a minimum, you’ll need disinfectant, paper towels, a broom and dustpan, bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, and sponges. Since your spot is likely pretty small, see if you can go “halfsies” on cleaning supplies with any of your friends and neighbors.
Sort your personal items. About 30 days before you plan on moving out of college, you’re going to want to start sorting your personal items (as mentioned above). Refinery29 has a great article on how to decide what to keep and toss from a dorm room. It often boils down to if the cost of moving the item is more than or equivalent to the cost of replacing it (except for sentimental items, of course).
Notify agencies and vendors. Once you know your new address, make a point to notify the Post Office (and/or your campus mailroom) to make sure you don’t miss a beat when it comes to mail delivery. You’ll also want to notify your renters insurance agency and any agency you’ve been paying monthly utilities to (including your cellphone carrier). If you’re still getting paper bills from any vendor, now is the perfect time to switch to online billing.
Get ready for the rest of your life! Once you know where you’re going, what you’ll bring, and – of course – how you’ll handle the details of moving out of college, it’s time to take a moment and reflect on the big change coming. The rest of your life awaits you, so be sure to tune in to what your gut is telling you about how – and where – you want to live it.