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How to Survive Temporary Housing

Posted in: I'm Moving, Apartment Life, Moving Containers

Picture this. Your lease is up on your apartment, and you’re getting the boot next month. But, you have no idea where you’re going to live next and want to spend some time finding the perfect new home. So you turn to your friends, your family, or even a local hotel for a place to stay during this “in-between homes” time. This does sound like a stressful scenario, but it is also a very common situation for many people. We totally get it…you don’t want to rush into a new lease without checking out all of your options, so now you’re stuck in limbo.

This transitional period can be really tough on a mover. It’s one thing to move all of your stuff from your current home to your next home, but what do you do when you’re stuck in moving purgatory? We don’t have all of the answers, but we do want to make things a teeny tiny bit easier on you. So here are our tips on how to survive temporary housing.How to Survive Temporary Housing

Moving 101

What to do with your stuff?

You have tons of stuff… clothing, furniture, kitchenware… and now you have no place to store all of your possessions. First, you need to purge before you pack. We’ve chatted all about that right here. Then, you’ll want to pack up your belongings in the most efficient way possible. Check out this post and you’ll know how to pack a box like a pro.

So you downsized, you packed up your boxes, and now you need a place for it all to go. Here are some options…

  • Rent a Storage Unit: If you’re staying in the same city, then a storage unit might be your best bet. You can rent it on a monthly basis, and hopefully you’ll get a space big enough to store all of your belongings. Tools on the web like Storagefront have made comparing storage units easier than ever. The only downside is you’ll have to find a way to get all of your belongings over to the storage unit, so you may need to rent a truck.
  • Use a Moving Container: If you’re moving to a new town, then a moving container might be your best bet. You can load up all of your belongings, and then they’ll move it to your new city and store it at their facility. In fact, the first month of storage is often factored into the price for most companies. You can also extend your storage time… but that comes with a fee. For more information about securing the right moving container head over to the Moving 101 Moving Containers section.

What to keep with you?

You’ll want to pack lightly and put a majority of your belongings into storage, but there are some items that you’ll want to keep with you. You can also check out this post for a list of items to keep off the moving truck.

  • Important Paperwork (birth certificates, marriage license, tax documents, etc.)
  • Prescription Medications
  • Family Heirlooms
  • Expensive Jewelry
  • Pricey Electronics
  • Toiletries
  • Bath towel, blanket, & pillow
  • Phone Charger, Computer, Camera
  • A variety of clothing & shoes (but not too much!)

Where to go?

Friends & Family: If you’re lucky, you may have some very generous people in your life who are more than willing to offer up a room (or a couch!) for your stay. If you want those friends to still be friends by the time you move out… we have some advice. Be sure to keep them in the loop about how long you’ll need to crash. Being open and honest is your best bet. Much better than saying you’ll be there for a weekend… only to have that turn into 2 months. Save your relationships and communicate.

Extended Stay Hotel: Obviously this option isn’t free, but it will give you some privacy. Many hotels offer monthly stay rates, so be sure to shop around before deciding.

Short Term Rental Home: If you need to stay for a month or longer, this might be your best bet. It’s also a good option for families going through the moving transition and there are lots of options out there on sites like Airbnb, Airbnb Sublets and VRBO (now owned by Homeaway).

We’re not gonna lie… moving into temporary housing is hard. But you can survive it! Follow these tips for how to survive temporary housing and you’ll get through those limbo months and into your new home ASAP.

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