OFF-CAMPUS LIFE

Download the "How to Move In" PDF

• Memorize your lease’s move-in date and times.
• Verify with your landlord that your unit will be ready by your move-in date and arrange picking up apartment keys.
• Use the resources provided by Evanston to set up your utilities. If you are moving Chicago, a web search will help you determine the right utility setups.
• Take photos of the apartment BEFORE moving in, looking for scratches, cracks, paint chips, broken furniture and windows/doors.
• Email these photos to yourself and your landlord with timestamp.
• You can also use the Property Checklist (Word doc).

• How will you and your roommates divide up furnishing costs? Think cookware, furniture, decorations.
• Where will you store the things you purchase before your move-in date? A storage unit? With parents? With friends? Is your apartment an option?
• Got pets? Be sure to check with your landlord that pets are allowed and consider who will be responsible for feeding and exercising them.

• Borrow a friend's car (offer to help with gas money or thank them another way!)
• Grab a friend (or two, or three, as many as possible!) to help or hire professionals.
• Rent a moving van or a car, and see which services offer student discounts on the WildCARD website
• Moving in can generate a lot of trash, so use Evanston 311 to arrange a special pick-up of any bulky items, or anything that won’t fit into your designated bin.

Decide with your roommates on where things should go and consider:

• Is it more important to have a dining room table, or should that be a homework zone?
• Do you all want the couches up against a wall or in the center of the space?

• Check the “Free and For Sale” NU Facebook group.
• Check SustainNU, Brown Elephant, Salvation Army, and other second-hand stores in Chicago and Evanston.
• Check online retailers for discounted furniture or buy new and have it shipped.