Moving In: People

By Lev Novak

When you first move into your new place, much of the advice I’ve given revolves around that. The apartment and area are no doubt important, but when moving in, it’s also important to get to know the people who’ll be involved in the process.

1. Room-Mates

First thing to do is hang out with your room mates. You don’t have to hang out for long, necessarily, but you do have to hang out with them. Have a beer and a greeting. You can very quickly figure stuff out about them if you don’t know them that well- by seeing the stuff they brought, how they started to decorate, etc- and picking up that vibe will help you in your unpacking as well as helping to give you an image of the apartment to come. Also, hanging out with your room mate is important as it gives you a chance to have a friend living in your very own apartment. It’s like a sleepover! That never ends! And is mandatory!

I’m just playing; you’ll enjoy it. Put in the legwork now and reap the benefits later. If you don’t make your first hangout early, you might have an awkward, confused relationship for a few weeks after.

2. Parents

If your parents were involved in the process of getting you to your apartment- and, they probably were or at least think they were- they’d like to hear that you got in safe. Tell them that. Lie a little bit about how neat your apartment is and thank them for your help. Cross that off your to-do list; a phone-call is a lot easier than a thank-you note, and you can also tack on a little rider at the end of it- if you forgot something, they can either send it, or you can get money for it.

“One thing” you can add at the end. “I forgot to bring a winter coat!”

Chances are, they’ll have an idea or a coat for you. It’s easy as that.

3. Neighbors

It’s important to know your neighbors, even if you don’t meet them.

Are they adults? Are they families? Is this a student area? Are they awesome and throwing parties? Are they terrible and throwing parties?

These are the things you want to know, since they’ll affect you. If you’re living by real human beings, you might need to keep it down at night, or perhaps give them your number- they can call you before calling the cops, for example, and they’re less likely to call the cops on a person who shook their hand in September. Similarly, meet your neighbors who are about your age. Maybe they’re throwing parties all the time and, what a coincidence! You love parties. You’ll bring the guac.

The place is important, but knowing the people- even the tangental people in your area- will help you feel more at home. They’ll be people to rely on if anything goes wrong, and people to simply recognize if you’re out and about in the area. It can’t hurt, at least, and meeting them quite often can help.

Maybe one of them makes barbecue. Mmmm. Barbecue.

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