The first 24 hours in a new place can be crucial – they can make a difference in how the first few months go and set the tone for the rest of the time you live there. So what should you do in the first 24 hours in a new place? Use this list as a guide for those precious first hours.
Document everything
If your landlord has asked you to fill out a condition report, complete and turn it in as soon as possible. It is also in your favor to take notes and photos to keep for yourself for when the time does come to move out. While there may be plenty of other things you want to dive into doing, also consider doing a walk-through and taking notes of any maintenance projects, such as making your lighting more energy efficient, you’d like to take care of in the future. You don’t have to do anything just yet: just make a list.
Clean up
Even if your new home was cleaned before you moved in (and hopefully it was!) there still sometimes seems like there are a few spots that need a little extra attention from you. We recommend taking extra swipes over places like toilet seats and doorknobs or doing a little deep cleaning in places that you might not be reaching often when your furniture is put into place.
Tackle the furniture
Start with the furniture that needs to be assembled, getting them together and putting them in the basic areas of their new assigned spots. If you didn’t have a lot of time to see the space before you moved in and don’t have a furniture plan in place, go with your gut.
Make your be
Trust us on this one – once your bed is assembled and in place, make it so you don’t have to try and find and wrestle with sheets after a long day of moving boxes. Many times, this is our first item on the to do list!
Put all the boxes in the right rooms
You don’t have to unpack all the boxes yet, but at least try and move the boxes to the correct rooms they belong in. Whether you unpack in one long, unbroken string of hours or peck at it a bit as your first weeks in your new home go by, it’ll make it easier to put away and put together small areas and whole rooms faster if you’re not running from room to room.
Take out and arrange your daily things
There are some things you just need on a daily basis. From toiletries to towels to coffee-making supplies, take out the things you need and arrange them as best you can. You’ll make having to get ready for work in a sea of boxes a lot easier.
Introduce yourself to any neighbors you come across
If you happen across any neighbors in your first 24 hours in your new place, don’t duck your head and run! Say hello and establish friendly terms early on.
Be considerate
Avoid doing loud things like hanging paintings and vacuuming late at night. Even though you’re bent on working through the night to get as much stuff done as possible, your neighbors are probably just trying to enjoy their lives (and sleep) as they normally are. Try not to be extra noisy and start out on the most considerate foot first.
