Month: October 2021

Categories
Moving Tips

How to Create a Couple’s Moving Checklist

Moving in Together Checklist

You’ve found ‘the one’ and now you’re both ready to take it to the next level and move in together. Moving in with your significant other can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. For many, the benefit of living together means more affordable home costs as they are now splitting rent and utilities. With that said, moving in together can feel overwhelming as you both need to figure out how to merge your belongings together.

One of the best ways to reduce stress during your move is to create a move-in checklist together. This will help streamline your to-dos and prioritize responsibilities. It will also help you assess if you’re making the right decision to move in together.

Figure Out Your Why and Discuss with Your Partner

Before you decide to take the plunge, the first thing you should figure out is the real reason why you’re moving in with your partner. You should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is your lease up and does moving in together make financial sense?
  • Do you look at moving in together as a prelude to marriage?
  • Are you spending a lot of time at your or your SO’s homes so it makes sense to downsize?
  • Is this the next logical step to move your relationship forward?

Once you’ve figured out your reason, make sure to discuss this with your partner. Be as open as possible and make sure you’re both on the same page. If you’re the one who wants to move in, make sure you’re not pressuring your partner to accept the terms, especially if they are hesitant. Sure, it might make sense to you, but if they’re not onboard with the idea, forcing the issue could lead to resentment.

Once you and your partner have decided to move in together, you’ll want to move on to the next step.

Make a List of Your Belongings for an Easier Move

Living together might sound great on paper, but it can lead to complications, especially when it comes to your belongings. Before you decide to pack everything up and move, you should do the following:

  • Take an inventory of your respective belongings.
  • Choose items that will stay and what items will be donated, thrown out, or sold. This step might require you or your partner to make some tough choices depending on the moving situation. If you are planning to get an apartment together, both of you will need to get rid of some stuff. However, if you are moving in with your SO or vice versa, the person moving might need to get rid of more than the other person.
  • Declutter your apartments
  • If necessary, get storage for items that won’t fit in your apartment

One of the most important steps that many couples forget to do is carving out personal space for themselves in a shared apartment. If you are moving into your partner’s apartment or vice versa, make sure that you both talk about your personal space requirements and needs. This way you can make sure you don’t immediately get on each other’s nerves. Living together with someone is completely different from simply dating them as you will see them 24/7. So those cute quirks could turn into annoying habits when you have to deal with it every day. That’s why it’s so important to have your own space.

Make sure to communicate often about your wants and needs as well. This is especially important when the two of you have different living habits. Perhaps they are cleaner while you are more laid-back on that front. This can lead to serious arguments down the line, so make sure to talk about chores and how you can both match each other’s expectations. While chores aren’t fun, it’s important you divide the work as equally as possible so that no one feels like they are doing the bulk of the work. Even if your partner enjoys cooking or cleaning, you should take the initiative and take over these chores at least twice a week.

Figure Out and Compare Where to Live

When deciding where to live, ask yourself one question: do you want to move into a new apartment? Some couples prefer this option as it feels like a fresh start and you both have input on important factors such as location, neighborhood, layout, etc. And since a new apartment is a blank slate, you can also choose decor, paint colors, and so on to match both of your aesthetics. It’s also a great way to make sure you both can carve out some space just for yourself.

If you do decide to go for a new apartment, you should talk with your partner and think about your requirements:

  • What neighborhood do you want to live in?
  • What is the maximum time you want to spend on your commute?
  • How much can you both afford when it comes to rent? Also consider what one of you can afford in case you or your partner becomes unemployed
  • What public transportation is nearby?
  • How much space do you both need? Is a one bedroom large enough or do you need a two bedroom so you can have a home office?

When you go apartment hunting, make sure you’re taking both of your requirements into consideration. It might take longer to find something, but it will be worth the wait! Once you find a new place, make sure to include both your names on the lease. If you do break up, it’s better to have both individuals as the person moving out can show to the next landlord that they are responsible renters.

Once you have found your new place, avoid moving drama by hiring trustworthy movers. Moving is stressful as is so why not make it easier on yourselves by having professionals load and unload your belongings. This way, you can avoid a potential argument on your first day of living together.

Discuss Important Financial Matters Before Your Move

No one likes to talk about money. For many couples, finances are one of the biggest issues in a relationship. Sure, living together doesn’t mean you have to combine your finances, but it does mean you should talk about how to split bills. Unlike a roommate situation, you’re not necessarily splitting things 50/50. While this might be a difficult conversation, it’s important to:

  • Discuss who pays for what
  • Decide how much you’ll each pay for rent and utilities. This might be dependent on your salary. If you are the higher earner in the relationship you might end up paying more.
  • Figure out which utilities go in whose name
  • Discuss who will pay for day-to-day expenses such as groceries, household supplies, etc.
  • See if it makes sense to create a joint account for household expenses or keep everything separate. Even if you create a joint account, you can still have separate bank accounts so you each have your own spending cash. The joint account could be used only for household expenses, utilities, and rent.

You should have this discussion before you move in together. That way, you both will know what to expect and have an arrangement in place. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s an important and responsible step to take as it can prevent resentment in the future.

Consider the Worst-Case Scenario

The last thing you want to do once you decide to live together is talk about breaking up. However, it’s a conversation that you shouldn’t skip. While it would be great if things go smoothly and you and your partner never split, it’s just as likely that things don’t work out. In fact, around 40 percent of couples split up about five years after they move in together.

It might not be the most romantic topic, but it’s always good to have a plan in place. This plan can include details about handling the expense of breaking lease, splitting belongings, sublease options, and so on. You might want to think about drafting a cohabitation agreement, which is a legal document that both partners sign to clarify things such as division of assets and other logistics. Of course, not everything works out perfectly. If the break up is sudden, you or your partner might not have enough time or money to move out immediately. In these cases, you should consider how much time you will give each other to find a new place as well as more personal details such as inviting new partners over when your ex is still living with you.

Hire Professional Movers for a Happy Move

Moving in together is an exciting moment. While it might seem overwhelming, by following these steps you should be able to make it a bit more manageable. With that said, things don’t always go as planned, but as long as you communicate what you feel and encourage your partner to do the same you should be able to solve whatever issues come your way. Just be patient with each other and work together.

Whether you plan on moving to a new apartment together or moving into your partner’s place, you can make the actual moving process a lot easier by hiring professional movers. Make sure to get in contact with us for a quote and we can get you both on your way to your new life together.

Categories
General

Best Neighborhoods in New Jersey for Families

Best Neighborhoods In New Jersey for Families

New Jersey is an excellent place for people of all ages to live and work. It’s close proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia means you have access to two amazing cities. Of course, you don’t even have to leave New Jersey to experience a bustling city or a quiet countryside. There are plenty of wonderful places to visit and live. With that said, if you’re raising a family (or plan to) you might have different requirements than a young, single professional. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing family-friendly neighborhoods in New Jersey.

New Jersey might be one of the smallest states, but it is one of the largest in terms of population and that’s because it has a lot to offer. So if you’re considering a move, read below for some of the best neighborhoods in New Jersey for families.

Madison: One of the Best Places in New Jersey

Located about 25 miles west of downtown Manhattan, Madison is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. While it might be close to New York City, the city itself offers a more suburban feel and the majority of residents are homeowners. While you might not get that bustling city vibe of Jersey City or Newark, the downtown area is super cute and offers plenty of shops and restaurants to keep you busy. It also offers everything you expect when moving to the suburbs such as: yards, neighborhood barbecues, farmer’s market, bike paths, and a commuter-rail station.

Of course, that’s not all it offers. Madison also has a relatively low crime rate with the majority related to property crime. Thanks to the close-knit community and civic-minded

people, Madison is able to keep its ranking as one of the safest areas in New Jersey and even the United States.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why many families move to Madison is because of the school system. There are a total of three public elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school within Madison’s school district. It also is home to two colleges: Drew University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. So if you really want to save on college expenses, your child can get a great education from kindergarten up to their PhD. Surprisingly, Madison also has a relatively low tax rate when factoring in the great educational system, low crime rate, and general amenities.

As you might expect, houses are in high demand. The average home price in Madison is close to $700,000 with some going for as much as $1 million. With everything Madison has to offer, it’s no surprise that houses are flying off the market. If you’re not sure you want to live in Madison permanently, you can rent an apartment for around $1700.

New Providence: The Perfect Place to Raise Kids

Situated between the two ridges of the Watchung Mountains, New Providence is a quaint town that is only 28 miles west of New York and has two nearby train stations and weekday buses for easy access to NYC. If you don’t want to deal with public transportation, you can always opt for a car as the area offers easy access to the New Jersey Turnpike.

New Providence has a ton of character and charm. The area is home to more than 13,000 people and consistently ranks as one of the best neighborhoods in New Jersey. This small 3.65 square mile borough is home to more than 13,000 people and growing. The charming downtown offers plenty of amenities including the cute Salt Box Museum that is home to a number of artifacts and memorabilia dating back to before the American Revolution.

Besides its quaint charm, New Providence is also incredibly safe with only a handful of property crimes that happen each year. When compared to the national average, New Providence consistently ranks as one of the safest areas in the country.

If you’re looking to raise kids, New Providence is a great place to move. It is home to several highly-rated public schools serving pre-k through 12th grade. There are a total of 2 elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Class room sizes are small with a 13-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. It’s no wonder that households with children make up around 40 percent of the town’s population.

For those who want to move here, make sure you have a good income. The median home value is around $607,000. While the majority of residents do own their home, keep in mind that the median household income is around $145,000. There are rentals, but you’ll end up paying around $1,700 for one-bedroom.

Livingston Township: One of the Safest Places to Live

Located in Essex County, Livingston has long been considered one of the best places to live in NJ whether you’re raising a family! With a population of around 31,000 this is by no means a small town. Yet despite the population, it is considered one of the safest places to live with crime numbers well below the national average for both violent and property crimes.

While mainly considered a bedroom town, it’s only about 40-45 minutes by car from NYC, Livingston offers a fairly large downtown area with plenty of shops, restaurants, and other amenities. If you can’t find something you want downtown, there’s always Livingston Mall!

As you might expect, Livingston has an amazing school system. In fact, it is ranked in the top 10 locations with best public schools in the entire state. There are several top-ranked public schools available and a variety of private schools that provide education from elementary to high school. Whatever option you choose, you can rest assured that your child will be getting a great education that will prepare them for college and/or the workforce.

If you’re interested in moving your family to Livingston, NJ you’ll want to save up a lot of money. While most residents are homeowners, the cost of houses has skyrocketed and you can expect to pay at least $500,000 on a house. While definitely on the higher end, if you want to live in a quiet location that’s still close to NYC and offers amazing schools, then you should brace yourself for high home prices.

Glen Rock: Major City in New Jersey

Living in a major city like New York or San Francisco might be exciting because there’s always something to do, but it can get a bit lonely since everyone is so focused on their own life. If you’re yearning for a community, look no further than Glen Rock. This small borough is home to around 12,000 people and really emphasizes that tight-knit vibe. The community looks out for one another and the residents are very friendly and helpful. Plus, households with children make up almost 50 percent of the population, so your kids and you, will definitely be able to make some friends.

Glen Rock is consistently praised for their outstanding schools with a total of four public elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school and, of course, a few private schools. School class sizes tend to be small, which means every child gets the attention they need in order to succeed. In addition to a great school system, the town boasts the Thielke Arboretum, an education center that invites authors to talk about their books to the residents.

Like the other towns, Glen Rock is also very safe with crime rates well below the national average. Residents really look out for each other and go out of their way to be helpful. The community is very active and there are plenty of events that bring together the entire town, thus curtailing a lot of crime. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s crime free. Most of the crime tends to fall into property crime and there is very little violent crime that happens in the area.

As a small town, you shouldn’t expect big city amenities. However, there are a few restaurants and shopping areas in the downtown area. If you can’t find what you need, you can generally drive 10-20 minutes away. Making the trip to NYC will take a little over an hour by train or car so you might want to factor this into your calculations, especially if you plan on commuting to NYC.

Becoming a homeowner in this area doesn’t come cheap. The median home value hovers around $650,000 though the majority of residents do own their home. You might be able to find a deal in this amazing NJ neighborhood so long as you are patient.

Summit: the Most Expensive City to Live in New Jersey

Nestled within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions, Summit is home to around 22,000 residents. Originally incorporated as Summit Township back in 1869, it became its own city in 1899. This is a perfect spot for families who love the outdoors as it is next to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Hidden Valley Park, and Briant Park. Located around 24 miles from New York City, you can easily have the best of suburban living and city living.

Summit has consistently been called one of the best cities to live in New Jersey and for good reason. It offers an eclectic collection of parks, recreational facilities, delicious restaurants, and unique shops. It’s also home to the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey which is the largest institution in the state dedicated to contemporary art. If you are more into theater, you can visit the Summit Playhouse, one of the oldest community theaters in the United States. It offers up to three plays a year including a children’s program. If you want to get your kids away from the computer screen, there are plenty of family-friendly activities at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum.

When it comes to schools, Summit gets an A on their report card. They have five public elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in the district. Students and parents rate schools highly in every department from academics to clubs and activities to college preparation. It boasts a 98 percent graduation rate and is ranked in the top ten best school systems in New Jersey.

Despite its larger size, Summit still remains very safe with very few incidences of violent and property crimes. Residents are very vigilant and more than happy to lend a helping hand to those in need.

If you want to live in Summit, you should be prepared to pay the price. Housing is extremely expensive as the median home value hovers close to $900,000. Taxes are also quite high, but in return you get amazing schools, a safe neighborhood, and wonderful family-oriented amenities.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers

There are dozens of other amazing cities and towns in New Jersey, but these four locations consistently rank as the best family-friendly neighborhoods in New Jersey. If you’re looking to make the move, make sure to hire a professional moving company like NJ Great Movers. We’ll be able to help get your belongings quickly and easily from your old place to your new home in a matter of hours. Whether you’re moving to Summit or Madison, we’ve got you covered.