Moving out

“I definitely had to weigh up the pros and cons of moving out. Financially, living at home is sometimes the best decision, but also taking into account your wellbeing and your independence is important."

- Alani

Thinking about moving out

Moving out can be a pretty huge event for a lot of young people. Make sure you’ve thought about your options and are mentally prepared to make this change. Keep the following points in mind as you consider the decision.

if you choose to not move out, think about living costs such as paying rent and bills.
having enough money for emergencies and new expenses.
if you’re working full-time while you study, make sure your income is enough to cover your expenses.
if you're studying at a university or Te Pūkenga then halls of residence might seem more expensive on a weekly basis. However, the cost can include things like heating and internet.

living closer to where you work or study can reduce your transport spend.
you might also want to think about how far you’d be from whānau and friends who you’re used to having as your support network.
think about transport costs, including car registration, Warrant of Fitness (WOF), and servicing if you own a car.

have someone help look through any documents you need to sign.
know who you can talk to if you’re overwhelmed or stressed about moving.
ask someone in your whānau who has done this before for advice.
if you have a disability, looking into the support that’s available where you’ll be living working or studying.

Getting everything sorted ahead of time will make the whole process smoother and help you avoid any last-minute worries.

Where to live

There are different living options once you're ready to move out.

There are different flatting options throughout Aotearoa. Make sure you “shop around” online before making a decision. Think about:

Finances
- know how much the bond and weekly rent is.
- how bills will be paid and divided.
- additional expenses, such as cleaning.
- how much notice you’ll need to give if you move out and if breaking this agreement will lead to extra costs.
- your tenancy status, such as whose name the tenancy agreement is in.

What’s included in the lease, such as ...
- furniture and appliances.
- lawn mowing or gardening services.
- internet access and a fibre Broadband connection.
- available parking.

Behaviour expectations
- if you have a pet, make sure they are allowed on the property.
- the number of people you’ll live with and if you’ll suit each other's living style, such as having lots of parties.
- expectations for other responsibilities like paying rent and electricity bills.

You may see tertiary accommodation options at some universities and polytechnics. They are usually located closer to where you study which can be convenient. This information will usually be available on their websites, and you can contact them to see what your options are and how to apply for them.

Some areas have privately-run hostels for longer-term accommodation. These can be a cheaper option while you make longer-term arrangements, are doing a short course, or are travelling for a short time. Most hostels have shared cooking and recreation areas. Bathrooms and bedrooms are usually communal depending on the cost.

If you require support to live independently or have special requirements for accommodation, such as needing wheelchair access, you may choose a specially designed facility. Make contact with your local health providers as early as possible, as applications and assessment of needs can take months to process. You may also be eligible for financial support to help with any changes to your living situation.

What you’ll need

Deciding what you need to take with you largely depends on where you’re going and what’s important to you. It’s part of learning to live independently, as you start to take responsibility and make choices yourself.

Some things you should be taking include:

your driver’s licence.
your debit and credit cards.
your passport.
your birth certificate.
any necessary medication.

Any non-essential items will depend on what you want in your place, whether it’s a gaming console or instrument. Some places are also less furnished than others, so you might need to arrange to move your bed, wardrobe and other large items.

Moving somewhere new

Moving to a different place away from your whānau or where you grew up can be both exciting and scary. These mixed feelings can come and go at any point and are perfectly normal.

If this is your first time on your own, you might want to consider the following as you prepare to settle in:

Reach out to friends and other networks in the area. This can help you navigate your new neighbourhood, town or city. You might even meet other new people through those friends.
Learn as much as you can about the place you’re moving to: many suburbs and cities have Facebook groups and sites you can join, such as Neighbourly. These pages can be quite useful just to keep up with what’s going on, and get a sense of the area, even if you’re not actively chatting with people.
Take some time to figure out what you might need once you have moved, such as your transport cards or passes, or signing up for a library or doctor.

If you’re moving from a rural environment to a city, or from a city to a rural area, there may be some big changes to get used to. These changes can be a bit overwhelming for some people to start with, so be kind to yourself.

Moving out

Thinking about moving out

Where to live

What you’ll need

Moving somewhere new

Next in Moving out of home

Flatting rights and responsibilities

Living sustainably