Regardless of why you need to utilize a short- or long-term corporate housing, choosing between a furnished and unfurnished apartment should be a no brainer. Moving into an unfurnished place means you either need to bring everything with you, or purchase everything you’ll need once you arrive. Both options are expensive, time consuming, and fairly stressful. Furnished corporate apartments offer much more convenience as they’re move-in ready with surprisingly flexible leasing options. What’s more, many furnished apartments come equipped with a range of amenities, such as wireless Internet, private outdoor areas, gyms, movie theaters, conference tables, rooftop terraces, and more. So, after making the decision to choose a furnished apartment, how can you prepare yourself for life in the foreseeable future? To help, we’ve compiled 5 easy steps to get you ready for living in furnished corporate housing.
1. Get to Know the People You’re Staying With
Arguably, this is the most important step to prepare for living in a furnished apartment. We don’t mean that you’ll be sharing a room or staying in someone else’s home, but you will be working with someone to go over the lease and to handle any maintenance issues that may occur. Therefore, taking the time to get to know the people you stay with can help you be more comfortable and confident while you’re there.
2. Know What You Have Access To
The next step in making sure that you’re adequately prepared for life in your new place is to educate yourself on what you’ll have access to. This is usually a pretty straightforward step, as your lease should have an exhaustive list of included items and furniture. You can expect a furnished apartment to have all of the towels you’d need, a TV, living room couches, sofas, and chairs with a coffee table, end tables, lamps, and décor. The kitchen may include a place to eat (i.e., dining table, kitchen counter, or a breakfast bar) and chairs along with all of the cookware you’d find in your own kitchen. There might not be things like air fryers, but you’ll have an oven and plenty of pots and pans for a delicious home-cooked meal. The bedroom is usually fit with a Queen-sized bed, nightstands, lamps, a smaller TV, and extra bedding. Some apartments may also have King-sized beds or can accommodate them, so make sure you ask ahead if it’s your preference. When you know what items are included with the apartment, and what’s not, you won’t bring any unnecessary things with you.
If you plan to use your apartment as a home office, you should always double check to make sure that you have a strong Wi-Fi connectivity, enough space to work, and amenities that support your business (i.e., a conference table or business center) are essential. If you plan to travel with your pet, make sure you find an option that will accommodate your companion with designated dog areas.
3. Make a List of Items You Need to Bring
Since most of the typical furnishings are provided for, you won’t need to pack as much as a traditional move. However, you may want to bring a few extra things to help you make the space feel like your own. For example, if you have a set of bed linens that you absolutely can’t imagine parting with, add it to your list. The same goes for special pillows or small items that help you get the most out of your apartment.
Additionally, you’ll want to pack your personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and anything you’ll need for business or pleasure while away. You can also bring a few decorative items or photographs to make the furnished apartment feel more like home. In the weeks leading up to your move, write all of these things down and regularly revisit them as the moving day gets closer. This will help you stay organized and reduced the chances that you forget anything important.
4. Research the Surrounding Area
It’s important to look into prospective areas ahead of time to find the best neighborhood for your furnished apartment. For example, are you going to be living in a furnished apartment in a city or in the suburbs? Do you prefer great nightlife or a vibrant cultural scene for daytime adventures? When relocating to the eclectic city of Chicago, there’s an option for everyone and finding the right neighborhood will help you maximize your time away. However, once you commit to a location, don’t wait until you’re there to check out some options in the surrounding area. By doing research ahead of time, you’ll prepare yourself for the move and ignite a little excitement along the way.
Some of the best tips for researching an area before you move there include looking up local websites or newspapers, joining social media groups to network and meet your neighbors, and checking out the various public transportation options to help you get your bearings. Then, when you arrive, you’ll be ready to get out, meet some new friends, and make the most out of your time living in corporate housing.
5. Pack Strategically and Get Ready to Go!
When getting ready for your move, be sure to pack your items carefully and efficiently. Since you won’t be bringing hundreds of boxes or heavy furniture with you, this is usually a little easier than traditional moves. However, you still want to be prepared for the transition and make sure your things are safe during transit. If you’re going to be driving, pack a small overnight bag with the essentials, just like you would during any move. You can then fill the rest of your car with items that you want to bring with you from your checklist. When flying, do the same thing but with a carry on versus checked luggage. If you need to put anything into boxes to be shipped to your furnished apartment, label everything so you can easily find what you need once you’re in your new place. You should also talk with the Corporate Housing provider ahead of time, as packages shipped in advanced may get turned back if you’re not yet registered with the building. They may recommend shipping them to the provider’s local office as an alternative.
Once you’re all packed, it’s time to get ready for your journey. Regardless of the reason you’re heading to a new furnished apartment, try to get excited and imagine your day-to-day routine for the foreseeable future. Living in corporate housing may not be a vacation, but it does allow you to get out and explore new areas, see new people, and experience new things.
To make sure that you have everything you need when transitioning into a furnished apartment, it’s essential that you find a corporate housing provider that goes above and beyond. Corporate Suites Network has what you need to stay efficient when working away from home and offers corporate apartment options in prime locations across the city of Chicago and beyond. We’re a member of the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) and are one of the few U.S. members to achieve the iSAAP Quality Assurance Provider, which speaks to our high-quality apartments, customer service, and responsible business practices. Our corporate apartments come equipped with high-speed Internet at no extra cost to you, carefully selected furnishings, and an array of luxury amenities. Call or email us today to learn more about Corporate Suites Network’s locations throughout Chicago and beyond.