Moving Your College Kid Into an Apartment

Going away to school for the first time is a huge achievement for your high school grad. A year a two after that, they will mostly likely say "I think I'm ready to be on my own…" and together you can look for apartments and make your young adult even more independent.

First, do some research on the complex your son or daughter will be living in. Many college apartments are not well taken care of by their tenants or landlords, as they may see a stereotype of irresponsible college kids, but of course this isn't always true. Talk to the landlord to see how much responsibility they take over repairs and upkeep. The management can be a deciding factor on whether or not the new apartment will be a good experience.

If you can get into the apartment before move in day, try it. The place will need a good cleaning even if the old tenants were supposed to do it before they left. It will feel more like home if you know it is cleaned to your standards. The bathroom will take a good bit of time. Same goes for the kitchen – try to clean everything! Make sure everything is in working condition or tell the landlord right away as soon as you move in, to avoid the possibility of being blamed for problems.

After you've cleaned, start to bring in the goods. Getting the big things where they need to be is the most important; you can unpack the smaller stuff as you go. One of the best move in tips I've found yet is to use an oversized garbage can with wheels to haul your things from the car to the new pad. You'd be amazed at how much you can fit into one, and then it smoothly rolls behind you and is easier to get up a few stairs or into the elevator.

Arrange the furniture in the most space saving way possible, and make your space serve dual purposes by trying a few of these tips:

If you can loft the bed, that's a perfect way to save floor space. By putting a desk or futon under the lofted bed you've used half the space you would have! Plus, it makes a cozy, reserved hang out area. Look for an ottoman with a removable top for storage. You can put movies, books, or magazines in the ottoman and place the top back on it for additional seating or feet resting. Use over the door hooks on your closet doors. By adding hooks or hanging towel racks you clear out space in the closet for more sweaters or puffy winter coats. Baskets or other rubber containers are great for closets, shelves, or even on top of the fridge. It's much easier to stay organized when there aren't loose items around.

Don't forget to bring a tape measurer. It is inevitable that your tv stand is too big, your curtain rod is too small, or you think you can squeeze a bigger trash can under the sink. A trip to the store is easier when you don't have to make guesstimations about things you thought you already had covered.

Personalize! Depending on the apartment building you may not be allowed to put holes in the walls, so be sure to bring your own standing decorations like picture frames and meaningful reminders of home. Make your personalization useful too, by using decorative pillows on the couch or brightly colored mugs and dishes. Bring sticky tack and duct tape – these can usually support any posters and pictures. In addition, add a lot of light to brighten a dark room. Add a small, durable rug in the kitchen to make cold feet comfy while getting a late night snack.

Make sure you know when trash day is, if there are certain recycling rules, where you are and are not allowed to park your car, and what to expect when paying bills. Some apartments will have to pay for electric, water, and Internet, while others will include these types of costs in one big monthly rent bill. Check on whether or not laundry is available on the premises, and if not, bring quarters! Find out if a smoke and carbon monoxide detector is supplied. Also, ask the landlord for a number to call if there is a housing emergency.

Don't hesitate to take your questions to the owner or manager. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and you don't want your son or daughter to be caught off guard by hidden surprises. A new apartment is a great way to learn responsibility and careful housekeeping. Maybe in a few more years you will help again, and it could be with an entire house hunt!