Moving into a new student apartment is a bit like embarking on a new adventure: exciting, but sometimes a little stressful. Between the boxes, the papers to sign and the famous question “how do you get that sofa up to the 5th floor without an elevator?”, you can quickly feel overwhelmed. The good news? With a little forethought and a few FAC-HABITAT tips, you can turn this step into a pretty cool moment.
Before moving in: anticipate to avoid unpleasant surprises
The key to a trouble-free move is organization. It may sound cliché, but making a checklist is a real game-changer. Write down in black and white everything you need before D-day: signed rental contract, certificate of home insurance, an appointment for the inventory of fixtures, but also the reservation of a truck or a transport service if you don't have any friends with cars.
Zen tip: separate your boxes by category (kitchen, bathroom, decoration) and write on them what's inside. On the day of installation, you'll know right away where to find the plates or the charger.
Budget-wise, you need to be prepared: moving into a student residence is cheap, but it does come at a cost. Between the deposit, the first rent, agency fees (if any) and the first purchases, the bill quickly climbs. But don't panic: there are plenty of good student deals to be had. You can pick up second-hand furniture from friends and family, hunt for bargains on apps like Vinted or LeBonCoin, or take advantage of special “installation kit” sales offered by certain retailers. And don't forget that student financial aid (APL, CROUS assistance) can give you a helping hand.
The advantage of moving into a FAC-HABITAT student residence is that there are no agency fees to pay, and you can submit your housing application directly online!
D-Day (and after): transforming your apartment into a home
On moving day, priority is given to essentials. There's no point in unpacking all the decorations before you've set up the bed and found the coffeemaker. Start by installing the things that will make your student accommodation immediately liveable: a mattress, a minimum of cooking equipment (a saucepan, 2 plates, cutlery) and a few lamps to avoid living by the light of your laptop.
A little extra to make you feel at home: hang up a photo, a poster or a plant from the very first night. It changes everything and makes you feel instantly at home.
Once you've unpacked the main boxes, it's time to take care of the little things you've been dreaming of, but which should be dealt with quickly. Remember to turn on the electricity and water, take out an internet subscription (to avoid 10 days without Wi-Fi before classes), and above all, check that your home insurance is in place - essential to be covered in the event of a glitch. At FAC-HABITAT, all this is often included in the rent, so you don't have to worry about it! Just ask at the residence.
Above all, there's no pressure to get everything perfect right away. The apartment will come to life little by little, with your things, your habits and your everyday moments.
