Whether you’re moving into an uptown house or apartment, making sure you’ve got the essential tools that will make your off-campus rental a home is key to having a great experience living in Athens. Some things seem obvious, but others may not. After all, it’s pretty easy to overlook certain things when you’ve always lived in a home where your parents provide a fully-stocked house.
But one things you’re going to learn real quick as an adult – moving is expensive. So, what does a fully-stocked OU student apartment look like? And how are you supposed to get all this together on a budget? We’ve put together a list of essentials and tips to keep move-in as budget-friendly as possible.
Our Top 10 Cost-Savvy Must-Haves for Move-In Day
10. Toiletries: toilet paper, shampoo, soap, conditioner, deodorant, makeup, a first-aid kit, razors
To some extent, toiletries are one place where people like what they like. Can you use a $1 box of baking soda for everything from dry shampoo to deodorant to a teeth whitener? Yes. But you do you here – whatever your self-care habits are, we support them. As long as they include bathing regularly…
9. Kitchenware: plates, bowls, cups, silverware, a couple good pots and pans, cookie sheet, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ziplocs, garbage bags, cutting boards and knives, casserole dish, tupperwares, cookie sheets, spatula
This is the perfect time to go thrifting! Hit up New-To-You and Upcycle to find pretty much all this stuff at, like, 20% of the price you’d pay retail. Plus, the vintage tupperware you’ll find is way higher quality than the stuff they make today.
8. Cleaning Supplies: broom, mop, vacuum, cleaning spray, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, paper towels, dishcloths and towels, bleach
Cleaning supplies are for gross things, so they don’t need to be nice. Many of these items you can find at the Dollar Tree. And instead of buying bottles of chemical cleaners over and over, buy one or two spray bottle and some white vinegar. Add water and you’ve got probably an entire lease’ worth of cleaning spray.
7. Bathroom Supplies: toilet brush and plunger, shower rod, shower curtain, towels, washcloths, bathmat, soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, makeup case
If you live with roommates, this is a great opportunity to split costs. Unless you’re going to divide up literally everything down to squares of toilet paper, you’ll all be using most of this stuff together. Split the costs!
6. Food Staples: condiments, staples like peanut butter, jelly, bread, ramen, rice, meats, veggies
One word: ALDI.
5. Kitchen Furniture: table and chairs, shelving unit for storage
Since the kitchen is a shared space, this is also a time it’s appropriate to split the costs if you’re sharing your off-campus apartment. Also, ReStore is a great place to find these types of items for way less.
Next are all the bigger-ticket items and, honestly, we can’t say enough good things about the thrifting game around here. Not only are there shops for furniture, clothes, household essentials, and more, but several local Facebook forums and Facebook Marketplace are very active, so always worth stalking:
- 4. Bedroom Essentials: bedframe, dresser, nightstand, desk, lamps, clothes hangers, storage bins
- 3. Small Appliances: microwave, coffee pot, air fryer, toaster/toaster oven
- 2. Living Room Essentials: couch, chairs, blankets, coffee table, TV and TV stand, pillows
1. Other Miscellaneous Musts: small tool kit, extension cords, power strips, scissors, trash bins, recycling bin, extra shelving and bins for storage
Now you’ve got the basics down for what to take with you when you move into your uptown OU apartment. And if you’ve forgotten something, don’t worry – your apartment is super close to the amenities on Court Street. So come on, let’s start packing!