LifeStarter: First Apartment Kit

Your Complete Guide to Finding, Furnishing, and Thriving in Your First Place

Welcome to Your First Place!

Getting your own apartment is one of life’s great milestones. Whether you’re leaving your parents’ house, moving out of a dorm, or striking out on your own for the first time, this moment is exciting — and a little terrifying.

That’s completely normal.

This guide is everything we wish someone had handed us before we signed our first lease. It covers the practical stuff — budgets, checklists, what to buy — but also the things nobody tells you, like how to handle a bad roommate situation, what “normal” utility costs look like, and why you should photograph your apartment before you move a single box in.

Think of this as advice from a friend who’s already made the mistakes so you don’t have to.

Let’s get you moved in.

Chapter 1: Before You Sign — Finding the Right Place

Apartment hunting is exciting until it’s overwhelming. There are dozens of listings, each with their own jargon, and it’s hard to know what actually matters until you’ve been burned. Here’s how to hunt smart.

Your Apartment Search Checklist

Before you start looking, get clear on your non-negotiables:

Budget: What’s the absolute maximum rent you can afford? (We’ll calculate this in Chapter 3, but as a quick rule: no more than 30% of your take-home pay.)
Location: How far are you willing to commute? What neighborhoods feel safe and convenient?
Size: Studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom? Do you need a roommate to make it work?
Lease length: Most leases are 12 months. Some offer 6-month or month-to-month — these usually cost more per month but offer flexibility.
Pet policy: If you have or plan to get a pet, check this first. Many apartments have breed/size restrictions and charge pet deposits ($200-500) plus monthly pet rent ($25-50).
Parking: Is it included? How much extra? Is street parking realistic?
Laundry: In-unit, in-building, or laundromat? This affects your weekly routine more than you’d think.
Move-in date: When do you need to be in? Start looking 4-6 weeks before your target date.

Questions to Ask at Every Showing

Don’t be shy. You’re about to commit thousands of dollars. Ask everything:

What’s included in rent? (Water, trash, gas, internet — it varies wildly)
What are the average utility costs? (Ask for actual numbers, not vague answers)
Is there a move-in fee in addition to the security deposit?
What’s the penalty for breaking the lease early? (Usually 1-2 months’ rent, but some are worse)
When was the last time the carpet was replaced / walls were painted?
Are there any upcoming renovations or construction?
What’s the guest policy? (Some places restrict overnight guests)
How are maintenance requests handled? (Online portal? Phone call? How fast do they respond?)
Is renters insurance required? (Spoiler: you should get it regardless)
What’s the noise situation? (Ask about neighbors above, below, and beside the unit)
Has this unit had any pest issues? (Roaches, bed bugs, mice — ask directly)
Can I see the actual unit I’d be renting? (Don’t rent based on a model unit alone)

Lease Red Flags — Walk Away If You See These

Your lease is a legal contract. Read every word. Watch for:

Automatic renewal clauses that lock you in unless you give 60-90 days’ notice
Vague language about fees — “reasonable” cleaning fees, unspecified move-out charges
Clauses that waive your right to a habitable unit (illegal in most states, but some try)
No written record of the security deposit amount or conditions for return
Restrictions on having guests that seem unreasonable
Mandatory arbitration clauses that prevent you from taking disputes to court
Charges for normal wear and tear (landlords can charge for damage, not for carpet wearing out from normal use)
“As-is” language — the landlord is still responsible for maintaining habitability

Pro tip: Before signing, do a walk-through of the actual unit. Take photos and video of every wall, floor, appliance, and fixture. Email them to yourself so they’re timestamped. This protects your security deposit when you move out.

What to Inspect During Your Walk-Through

Go through this checklist in person:

Chapter 2: Move-In Day — Setting Up Your New Home

Move-in day is chaotic. Having a plan makes it dramatically less stressful.

The First-Night Kit

Pack a separate bag or box with everything you need for your very first night. You’ll be exhausted and you won’t want to dig through boxes for a toothbrush at midnight.

Your First-Night Kit:

Bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket — even if it’s just a sleeping bag)
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper)
Phone charger and power strip
Towel
Change of clothes for tomorrow
Basic cleaning supplies (all-purpose spray, paper towels)
Snacks and water bottles
Any medications you take daily
Important documents (lease, IDs, insurance info)
Basic tool kit (screwdriver, hammer, measuring tape)
Flashlight (in case you haven’t figured out all the light switches yet)

What to Set Up Immediately

Day 1 priorities:

Do a photo walk-through — Before moving anything in, photograph and video every room. Walls, floors, appliances, bathrooms, closets. Email these to yourself. This is your proof of the apartment’s condition at move-in.
Check all locks — Make sure the front door, back door, and any windows lock properly. If the locks feel flimsy or you’re concerned about previous tenants having keys, ask the landlord about rekeying.
Locate your breaker box — Know where it is and what each breaker controls.
Test smoke detectors and CO alarms — If there aren’t any, buy them immediately. If they exist, test them and note the battery status.
Set up your bed — You’ll want to sleep tonight.
Clean before unpacking — Even if the apartment was “professionally cleaned,” wipe down kitchen surfaces, bathroom, and inside cabinets/closets.

First-Week Setup Checklist

Chapter 3: Budget Planning — Affording Your First Place

The biggest mistake first-time renters make is only thinking about rent. Your actual monthly cost is rent plus a lot of other things. Let’s build a realistic budget.

The 30% Rule (and When to Bend It)

The standard advice: spend no more than 30% of your gross (pre-tax) income on rent. Some financial advisors recommend 30% of take-home (after-tax) pay for a more conservative approach.

Here’s the math:

Monthly Take-Home Pay	Max Rent (30%)	Comfortable Rent (25%)
$2,500	$750	$625
$3,000	$900	$750
$3,500	$1,050	$875
$4,000	$1,200	$1,000
$4,500	$1,350	$1,125
$5,000	$1,500	$1,250

When it’s okay to go above 30%:

You live in a high cost-of-living city where 30% is genuinely unrealistic
You have very low other expenses (no car payment, no student loans)
You’re early in your career and expect income to rise soon

When you should stay under 30%:

You have student loans or other debt
You don’t have an emergency fund yet
You’re not sure about job stability

👉 Use our free First Apartment Budget Planner to calculate your personalized budget breakdown.

First Apartment Expenses Breakdown

Here’s what a realistic monthly budget looks like for a first apartment:

Expense	Typical Range	Your Budget
Rent	25-35% of income	$__
Electricity	$50-150	$__
Gas/Heat	$30-100	$__
Water (if not included)	$20-50	$__
Internet	$40-80	$__
Renters Insurance	$15-30	$__
Groceries	$200-400	$__
Transportation	$100-500	$__
Phone	$40-80	$__
Streaming services	$15-50	$__
Personal care	$30-60	$__
Emergency fund savings	$100-300	$__
Total		$______

Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About

Budget an extra $2,000-4,000 for move-in costs beyond first month’s rent:

Security deposit: Usually equal to one month’s rent
Last month’s rent: Some landlords require this upfront
Application fees: $25-75 per application (and you might apply to several)
Move-in fees: Some apartments charge a non-refundable move-in fee ($100-300)
Pet deposit + pet rent: $200-500 deposit plus $25-50/month
Parking fees: $50-150/month if not included
Renter’s insurance: First month ($15-30) plus setup
Utility deposits: Some companies require deposits for new customers ($50-200)
Basic furnishing: Even used furniture adds up fast ($500-2,000)
Cleaning supplies, kitchen basics, bathroom supplies: $100-200
Moving costs: Truck rental ($50-200) or movers ($300-800)

The real number: For a $1,000/month apartment, expect to spend $3,500-5,500 before you even live there for a month.

Building Your Emergency Fund

Before or immediately after moving in, start building an emergency fund. The target: 3 months of expenses (not just rent — all expenses).

Start with a goal of $1,000, then build from there. Even $50/paycheck adds up. Put it in a separate savings account so you’re not tempted to touch it.

This fund protects you from the “one bad month” spiral — a car repair, a medical bill, or a job loss that turns a manageable situation into a crisis.

👉 Use our Emergency Fund Calculator to figure out your target number.

Chapter 4: Essential Furniture & Supplies

You don’t need to furnish your entire apartment before you move in. In fact, you shouldn’t — you’ll make better choices once you’ve lived in the space for a few weeks and understand how you actually use it.

Day 1 Essentials (Buy Before You Move)

These are non-negotiable. Don’t move in without them:

Bedroom:

Mattress (even a good mattress-in-a-box works — $300-600)
Sheets, pillow, and blanket
A lamp (overhead lighting in apartments is often terrible or nonexistent)

Bathroom:

Shower curtain, liner, and rings
Bath towels (at least 2)
Toilet paper
Hand soap
Bath mat
Plunger (seriously, buy this now)
Trash can

Kitchen:

Dish soap and a sponge
Paper towels
Trash bags
A few basic dishes and utensils (or paper plates for the first week)
One pot, one pan (see Chapter 5 for the full kitchen guide)

General:

Cleaning supplies (all-purpose cleaner, broom, dustpan)
Light bulbs (apartments often have missing or burned-out bulbs)
Power strip/surge protector
Basic tool kit (screwdriver set, hammer, measuring tape, picture hanging kit)
Flashlight
Step stool

Week 1-2 (Get These Soon)

Hangers and closet organization
Trash cans for each room
Door mat
Basic curtains or blinds (for privacy)
Laundry basket and detergent
Iron or steamer (if you work in an office)
First aid kit
Batteries (AA, AAA)

Month 1-3 (Can Wait)

Couch or loveseat (use Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or thrift stores)
Coffee table
TV stand or entertainment setup
Bookshelf
Desk (if working from home)
Area rug
Decorative items and art
Additional kitchen gadgets

Where to Find Affordable Furniture

Facebook Marketplace — Best for used furniture in good condition
OfferUp / Craigslist — Inspect before buying; meet in public for small items
IKEA — Solid basics at low prices; assemble yourself
Thrift stores / Goodwill — Hit or miss, but great finds are possible
Estate sales — Quality furniture at a fraction of retail
Amazon Warehouse — Open-box and returned items at discounts
Target / Walmart — Budget-friendly basics that look decent

Important rule: Don’t pick up upholstered furniture from the curb or unknown sources. Bed bugs are real, expensive to treat, and invisible to the naked eye. Bed frames, desks, and hard-surface furniture are generally safe. Couches, mattresses, and upholstered chairs from strangers? Skip them unless you can verify the source.

Chapter 5: Kitchen Setup — Eating Well on a Budget

If you’ve never really cooked for yourself, this chapter is for you. A well-set-up kitchen saves you hundreds in takeout every month and is genuinely one of the most important life skills you’ll develop.

Starter Cookware (All You Actually Need)

Forget the 20-piece cookware sets. Here’s what you need to cook 90% of meals:

The Essential 7:

10-inch nonstick skillet ($15-25) — Eggs, stir-fries, sautéed vegetables, grilled cheese
Large pot with lid ($20-30) — Pasta, soups, rice, boiling anything
Sheet pan / baking sheet ($8-12) — Roasted vegetables, sheet pan dinners, baking
Cutting board ($8-15) — Get a plastic one that’s dishwasher-safe
Chef’s knife ($15-30) — One good knife beats a block of bad ones. Victorinox Fibrox is the go-to budget option.
Mixing/prep bowls ($8-12 for a set) — Mixing, serving, storing leftovers
Measuring cups and spoons ($5-8)

Utensils to start:

Spatula (silicone, won’t scratch nonstick)
Wooden spoon
Tongs
Can opener
Vegetable peeler
Colander / strainer

Nice to have eventually:

Slow cooker or Instant Pot (game-changer for easy meals)
Blender
Toaster
12-inch cast iron skillet (lasts forever, incredibly versatile)
9x13 baking dish

Pantry Staples — Your Starter Grocery List

Stock these once and you can make dozens of different meals:

Oils & Vinegars:

Olive oil (cooking and dressings)
Vegetable or canola oil (high-heat cooking)
Vinegar (white, for cleaning too)

Spices (start with these 8):

Salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cumin
Italian seasoning
Chili powder
Paprika

Dry Goods:

Rice (white or brown — a 5 lb bag lasts weeks)
Pasta (2-3 boxes of different shapes)
Canned tomatoes (diced and/or crushed)
Canned beans (black beans, chickpeas)
Chicken or vegetable broth
Flour
Sugar
Oats

Fridge/Freezer Staples:

Eggs (the most versatile protein)
Butter
Milk
Cheese (block is cheaper than shredded)
Frozen vegetables (just as nutritious as fresh, cheaper, and never go bad)
Frozen chicken breasts or thighs

Sauces & Condiments:

Soy sauce
Hot sauce
Mustard
Ketchup
Peanut butter

Meal Prep Basics for Beginners

Cooking every single meal from scratch gets old fast. Meal prep saves you time, money, and decision fatigue.

Start simple — the batch cooking method:

Pick one protein (chicken thighs, ground turkey, beans)
Pick one grain (rice, pasta, quinoa)
Pick two vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, sweet potatoes — fresh or frozen)
Cook a big batch on Sunday (or whatever day works)
Store in containers for 4-5 days of lunches/dinners

5 beginner-friendly meals that use your starter kitchen:

Stir-fry: Protein + vegetables + rice + soy sauce (skillet, 20 minutes)
Pasta with meat sauce: Ground meat + canned tomatoes + pasta + Italian seasoning (pot + skillet, 25 minutes)
Sheet pan chicken and vegetables: Chicken + whatever vegetables you have + olive oil + seasoning (sheet pan, 30 minutes at 400°F)
Rice and beans: Rice + canned beans + cumin + salsa (pot, 20 minutes)
Eggs any way: Scrambled, fried, or omelet with whatever’s in the fridge (skillet, 10 minutes)

The meal cost math: A home-cooked dinner costs $2-5 per serving. Takeout or delivery costs $12-20. Cooking 5 meals a week at home instead of ordering out saves $150-300/month. That’s $1,800-3,600 a year.

Chapter 6: Cleaning & Maintenance

Keeping your apartment clean is easier when you have a system. Here’s a realistic schedule that takes about 2-3 hours per week total.

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Monday — Kitchen Reset (20 min)

Wipe down all counters and stovetop
Clean sink
Take out trash and recycling
Check fridge for expired food

Wednesday — Bathroom (15 min)

Clean toilet (inside and out)
Wipe sink and mirror
Wipe shower/tub
Replace hand towel

Friday — Floors & General (30 min)

Vacuum or sweep all floors
Mop kitchen and bathroom
Quick declutter of common areas
Take out trash

Weekend — Laundry + One Extra Task

Do laundry
Rotate through one “monthly” task (see below)

Monthly Tasks (Pick One Per Weekend)

Dust all surfaces, shelves, and ceiling fan blades
Clean inside microwave and oven
Wipe down cabinet fronts
Vacuum under couch cushions
Wash sheets and towels in hot water
Clean bathroom exhaust fan
Wipe light switches and door handles
Organize one closet or drawer

Basic Repairs You Can Handle Yourself

Don’t call maintenance for everything. These fixes are easy and save you time:

Running toilet: Usually the flapper — the rubber piece at the bottom of the tank. Jiggle the handle first. If that works temporarily, replace the flapper ($5 at any hardware store, 10-minute fix, YouTube tutorial).

Clogged drain: Try a plunger first. Then try baking soda + vinegar (1/2 cup each, let sit 30 minutes, flush with hot water). Avoid chemical drain cleaners — they damage pipes.

Squeaky door hinge: WD-40 or a drop of olive oil on the hinge pin.

Small nail holes in walls: Fill with white toothpaste or spackle. Sand smooth when dry. This matters for getting your deposit back.

Stuck garbage disposal: Turn it off. Look underneath for a hex key slot. Insert an Allen wrench (usually 1/4 inch) and turn back and forth to free the jam. Never put your hand inside.

Tripped breaker: Go to your breaker box. Look for the switch that’s flipped to the middle or “off” position. Flip it fully off, then back on.

What’s Your Responsibility vs. the Landlord’s

You handle:

Replacing light bulbs
Keeping the apartment clean
Replacing smoke detector batteries
Minor drain clogs
Replacing HVAC filters (some leases require this)
Damage you or your guests cause

Landlord handles:

Plumbing issues (beyond simple clogs)
Electrical problems
HVAC repair/replacement
Appliance repair/replacement (if provided by landlord)
Pest control (in most states)
Structural issues (leaks, mold, foundation)
Broken locks or security issues
Anything that affects habitability

Important: Always submit maintenance requests in writing (email or the apartment’s portal). Verbal requests create no paper trail, which hurts you if the landlord doesn’t respond.

Chapter 7: Safety & Security

Your apartment should be your safe space. Take these steps to protect yourself and your stuff.

Renters Insurance — Non-Negotiable

Renters insurance is the best deal in all of insurance. For $15-30 per month, you get:

Personal property coverage: Replaces your stuff if it’s stolen, damaged by fire, water damage from above, etc. (Typical coverage: $20,000-50,000)
Liability coverage: Protects you if someone is injured in your apartment or you accidentally damage the building (typical: $100,000)
Additional living expenses: Pays for a hotel if your apartment becomes uninhabitable
Off-premises coverage: Your laptop stolen from your car? Covered.

How to get it:

Lemonade, State Farm, and Progressive are popular for renters
Takes 15 minutes to set up online
You’ll need to estimate the total value of your belongings (most people underestimate — do a quick room-by-room mental inventory)
Choose replacement cost coverage, not “actual cash value” (ACV). Replacement cost pays for a new version of what was lost. ACV gives you what your 3-year-old laptop is worth today — almost nothing.

Emergency Contacts — Set Up Day One

Save these in your phone and post them on your fridge:

Emergency services: 911
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Landlord / Property management: _______
Maintenance emergency line: _______
Nearest hospital / ER: _______
Nearest urgent care: _______
Local non-emergency police: _______
Trusted friend/family nearby: _______

Fire Safety

Know your exit routes. Identify at least two ways out of your apartment and the building. Walk them once so you know them in the dark.
Test smoke detectors when you move in and monthly after that. If there aren’t any, buy them — your safety is worth more than a $20 detector.
Get a fire extinguisher for the kitchen ($20-30). Learn how to use it before you need it: Pull pin, Aim low, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side (PASS).
Never leave cooking unattended. Stovetop fires are the #1 cause of apartment fires.
Don’t overload power strips. Space heaters, hair dryers, and other high-draw appliances should plug directly into wall outlets.
Keep a pair of shoes and your keys near your bed. If you need to evacuate at 3 AM, you’ll be glad they’re there.

Lock Security

Ask if locks were changed between tenants. If the landlord can’t confirm, request rekeying.
Use your deadbolt. Every time you’re home and every time you leave.
Consider a door security bar for sliding glass doors ($15-20).
Don’t hide a spare key in obvious places (doormat, plant pot). Give one to a trusted friend or use a lockbox.
Lock windows, especially on ground floor units.
Don’t post your address on social media. Especially not with “gone for the weekend!” posts.

Chapter 8: The Roommate Guide

Living with someone can be great — affordable rent, built-in company, shared responsibilities. It can also be terrible. The difference almost always comes down to communication and expectations set upfront.

Splitting Expenses: Fair vs. Equal

“Split everything 50/50” sounds simple, but fair isn’t always equal:

Rent: If bedrooms are different sizes, adjust proportionally. The person with the master bedroom or private bathroom should pay more. A common formula: measure square footage of each bedroom and divide rent by that ratio.
Utilities: Usually split evenly, unless one person works from home and the other doesn’t (higher electricity/internet use).
Shared supplies: Toilet paper, dish soap, cleaning supplies — split evenly or take turns buying.
Groceries: Keep these separate unless you cook together frequently. Shared groceries cause more roommate fights than almost anything else.

Payment logistics:

Use Venmo, Zelle, or Splitwise to track shared expenses
Designate one person to pay rent/utilities, and have the other reimburse
Set a specific date each month for settling up

House Rules Template

Have this conversation before or immediately after moving in. Write it down (yes, actually write it down):

Discuss and agree on:

Quiet hours: When is “too loud”? (Common: 10 PM – 8 AM on weeknights)
Guests/overnight visitors: How much notice? How many nights per week is okay?
Cleaning responsibilities: Who does what? How often? (See the cleaning schedule in Chapter 6 — split the tasks.)
Shared spaces: How clean should the kitchen be left after cooking? What about the bathroom?
Temperature: What’s the thermostat agreement? (This one causes real conflict.)
Smoking/substances: Allowed inside? On the balcony? Not at all?
Sharing food: Is anything communal or is everything separate?
Pets: Now or in the future?
Moving out: How much notice if one person wants to leave?
Conflict resolution: How will you handle problems? (See below.)

Conflict Resolution — The Grown-Up Way

Roommate tension is normal. Here’s how to handle it without things getting ugly:

Address it early. Small annoyances become resentments if you let them build up. Talk about it when it’s a 2, not when it’s a 9.
Use “I” statements. “I feel frustrated when dishes are left in the sink” hits differently than “You never do dishes.” The first invites conversation. The second starts a fight.
Pick the right time. Not when you’re angry, not when they just walked in the door, not over text. In person, calm, intentional.
Listen. They might not know they’re bothering you. They also might have a perspective you haven’t considered.
Compromise. You won’t get everything your way. That’s the deal with shared living.
If it’s serious, involve the landlord. Lease violations, safety concerns, or harassment are not “roommate disputes” — they’re landlord territory.

The golden rule of roommates: Be the roommate you’d want to have.

Chapter 9: Utilities & Services — Setup, Savings, and Optimization

What to Set Up (and When)

Set up these services 1-2 weeks before your move-in date:

Service	When to Set Up	Notes
Electricity	1-2 weeks before move-in	Some areas have multiple providers — compare rates
Gas	1-2 weeks before move-in	May require an in-person appointment to turn on
Water	Usually handled by landlord	Confirm if it’s in your name or included in rent
Internet	1-2 weeks before (schedule install)	Installation can take a few days — book early
Renters Insurance	Before or on move-in day	Some landlords require proof at lease signing
Trash/Recycling	Usually handled by landlord	Ask about pickup days and recycling rules

How to Save on Utilities

Electricity:

Switch to LED bulbs everywhere ($3/bulb, saves $50+ over its lifetime)
Unplug chargers, gaming consoles, and devices when not in use (phantom power is real — $100-200/year)
Use a power strip for entertainment centers — flip one switch to kill all standby power
Set your thermostat to 68°F in winter, 78°F in summer
Use fans before cranking the AC — ceiling fans make rooms feel 4-6°F cooler
Close blinds on sunny days in summer, open them in winter for free heat

Water:

Take shorter showers (each minute = ~2 gallons)
Report running toilets immediately (a running toilet wastes 200+ gallons per day)
Run dishwasher and washing machine with full loads only

Heating/Cooling:

Don’t heat or cool an empty apartment. Use a programmable schedule or adjust before you leave.
Close vents in rooms you don’t use
Check weather stripping around doors and windows — ask your landlord to fix drafts

Internet & Streaming Optimization

Internet is usually your biggest recurring tech expense. Here’s how to get it right:

What speed do you actually need?

1 person, basic browsing/streaming: 25-50 Mbps
1-2 people, HD streaming + gaming: 100 Mbps
2-3 people, heavy usage + work from home: 200-300 Mbps
You almost certainly don’t need gigabit (1000 Mbps)

Money-saving tips:

Buy your own modem and router instead of renting ($100-150 upfront vs. $10-15/month rental = pays for itself in under a year)
Call to cancel or downgrade after your promo period ends — they’ll often offer you a new deal to keep you
Check if your phone plan includes a hotspot option as a backup

Streaming optimization:

Don’t subscribe to everything at once. Rotate: one month Netflix, next month HBO, next month Hulu. Binge what you want, cancel, move on.
Share family plans where allowed
Use free tiers (Pluto TV, Tubi, Crackle, PBS) to supplement
A good antenna picks up local channels for free ($20 one-time cost)

Chapter 10: Building Community — Making Your Apartment Feel Like Home

An apartment becomes home when it feels like yours and when you feel connected to the people and place around you.

Meeting Your Neighbors

This doesn’t have to be awkward. A simple introduction goes a long way:

Knock on the doors next to and below/above you within the first week. “Hey, I just moved in next door. I’m [name]. Nice to meet you.” That’s it. You’re not proposing friendship — you’re being a good neighbor.
Why it matters: If your car alarm goes off at 2 AM, a neighbor who knows you will call you. A stranger will call the cops. If you need a cup of sugar, a favor, or someone to accept a package, it helps to know the person next door.
Exchange phone numbers with at least one neighbor. It’s not weird — it’s practical.

Finding Your Local Spots

Part of feeling at home is having “your” places:

Your grocery store — Try a few and find the one with the best prices and most convenient location
Your coffee shop — Especially if you work remotely
Your park or walking route — Fresh air and routine matter
Your library — Free books, free Wi-Fi, free events, and it’s a great place to work outside your apartment
Your go-to restaurant — The one where you become a regular

Making Your Space Feel Like Yours

Your apartment is a rental, but it’s still your home. Make it feel that way:

Hang things on the walls. Use Command strips if your lease restricts nails. Art, photos, a mirror, a tapestry — blank walls feel temporary. Covered walls feel like home.
Add plants. Even one pothos plant ($5-10, nearly impossible to kill) adds life to a room. Snake plants and spider plants are also great for beginners.
Get good lighting. Apartment overhead lights are universally bad. A few lamps with warm bulbs transform the vibe entirely. Target and IKEA have affordable options.
Make your bed every morning. Sounds dumb. Makes a huge difference in how your space feels.
Create a “landing zone” by the front door — a small tray or hook for keys, wallet, and phone. End the “where did I put my keys” panic forever.
Invest in your bedroom. You spend a third of your life in bed. Good pillows and comfortable bedding are not luxuries — they’re basic quality of life.

Getting Involved

If you’re new to the area and want to build a social life:

Community events: Check your city’s parks and rec website, local library calendar, and community Facebook groups
Classes and activities: Cooking classes, gym memberships, recreational sports leagues, art workshops
Volunteering: Food banks, animal shelters, Habitat for Humanity — you do good and meet good people
Apps: Meetup.com is specifically designed for finding local groups based on your interests
Your apartment community: Some complexes have events, pools, gyms, and common areas. Use them — that’s what they’re there for.

The Emotional Side (Nobody Talks About This)

Here’s something no apartment guide tells you: it’s normal to feel lonely, overwhelmed, or homesick in your first apartment. Especially if you’re living alone for the first time.

The first few weeks might feel weird. Silence in a new space can feel loud. Cooking for one can feel pointless. Saturday mornings without your family’s noise can feel hollow.

This is temporary. Here’s what helps:

Establish routines. Morning coffee, evening walk, weekly call with family, Friday night cooking project. Routines turn a space into a home.
Stay connected. FaceTime your people. Don’t isolate.
Be patient with yourself. It takes 3-6 months for a new place to feel truly like yours. That’s normal.
Celebrate the wins. You assembled furniture. You cooked a meal. You paid rent on time. You’re doing it. That matters.

Quick Reference: Your First Apartment Checklist

Before You Sign

Budget calculated (30% rule)
At least 3 apartments toured
All questions from Chapter 1 asked
Lease read completely — no red flags
Move-in date confirmed
Photo walk-through of unit completed

Move-In Week

First Month

All utilities set up and in correct name
Budget spreadsheet or app set up
Kitchen stocked with basics
Cleaning schedule started
Met at least one neighbor
Found nearest grocery, pharmacy, urgent care
Emergency fund contributions started
Settled into a routine

You’ve Got This

Moving into your first apartment is a huge deal. It’s your independence, your space, your rules. It’s also your budget, your responsibility, and your dishes in the sink.

Some weeks will feel like you’ve got it all figured out. Other weeks, you’ll eat cereal for dinner and wonder why the electric bill is so high. Both of those are part of the experience.

The fact that you’re reading this guide means you’re already more prepared than most people were for their first apartment. You’re thinking ahead, planning your budget, and setting yourself up to succeed.

A few final thoughts:

You don’t have to have it all figured out on Day 1. Your apartment will come together over weeks and months, not overnight.
Mistakes are part of it. You’ll lock yourself out. You’ll burn something on the stove. You’ll forget to pay a bill. You’ll survive all of it.
Ask for help when you need it. From your landlord, your neighbors, your family, or a YouTube tutorial. Nobody does this alone.
Enjoy it. Seriously. Your first apartment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Dance in your kitchen. Decorate your walls. Host your first dinner party, even if it’s frozen pizza on paper plates.

This is your place. Make it yours.

LifeStarter — Navigate Life’s Biggest Moments lifestarter.com

More from EPM Labs:

First Apartment Budget Planner — Calculate what you can actually afford
Emergency Fund Calculator — Know your savings target
Harvest Home Guides — Home cooking and gardening made simple