For starters, consider where you may want to set up your furniture. For instance, if you are living on the first floor, make sure your couch isn't providing a step stool for intruders, should you ever leave a window open.
“Security is our number one concern,” said John McGrail, CEO of the Mayo Group. “It is important that tenants are aware of their surroundings and pay attention to the people entering the building. If a tenant notices anything unusual they should immediately report it to the management.”
Another thing you may want to do before settling in for good is to check for outlets; particularly in today’s hyper-connected world. There may have been a time when you didn’t need to know exactly where all of the outlets in your home were located, but today, with many folks working on a laptop or other portable device, knowing where the outlets are located before moving in your heaviest pieces of furniture will save you time when rearranging furniture later. This is also a good time to scope out where the lights are located so you can assure that your work space is under a well-lit, glare free part of the room.
If you are lucky enough to score an apartment with a refrigerator or other appliances included, chances are the cleaning service has given it a scrub down, but it never hurts to disinfect and clean them again before you add your own food or drink to the shelves or
oven racks. Nowadays, most landlords are willing to let you make a space your own. If you are thinking about painting a room or doing any other type of interior decorating, make sure you speak with the landlord before making major changes.
Finally, take a trip to your local post office and change your address. Call the phone, electric and cable company to get yourself hooked up, and map your route from your new home to the office to avoid being late on your first day at the new job. Say hello to your neighbors, scope out the local hangouts and count the days until you can move in.
Change can be daunting, but with a lovely new home to return to each evening, life will soon fall into a rhythm, especially if you have recently transplanted to a new city and have yet to discover all the area has to offer. The above tips will ensure that you start off with a safe, homey space to call your own when you return from a day of exploring.
