Moving out from home: What should you look out for?

Written by: Nena Julia Aichholzer, 31.07.2025

A new chapter in life begins! After graduating from high school, completing civilian service, or perhaps taking a trip abroad, it’s time for many to move out of their childhood home! Some will head to student dorms, others into shared apartments with friends, or maybe even into their very first own apartment.

But no matter what you choose, there’s a lot to consider. What do you need to start living independently? How much should you budget? And what needs to be organised before and during the move? In this article, you’ll find the most important information and a handy checklist to help you stay on top of everything.

Table of Contents

Moving out from home to study
How do I organise my move?
Checklist for moving out
Conclusion: Moving out of home is an adventure

Moving out from home to study

Whether you move out for your studies or prefer to commute is a very personal decision. Some have to move because their chosen university is in another city. Others purposely choose to stay at home. Whether for financial reasons or simply because they want to enjoy the comforts of “Hotel Mama” a little longer.

What are the arguments against moving out from home?

Costs: Rent, electricity, internet, groceries – at home, these expenses are often still covered by family.
Meals: The fridge is usually stocked, and meals are often cooked as well. This saves time and effort during the busy study schedule
Parents as study motivation: When your family is over in the next room, the pressure to finally start studying is probably higher.

What are the advantages of moving away from home?

More privacy: You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone about where you were or why you got home at 3am – or even the next day
Independence: You can invite friends over spontaneously or spend all day doing nothing without anyone asking if you “don’t have things to do”.
Learning to be self-reliant: Shopping, cooking, doing laundry, managing expenses – the sooner you learn to take responsibility for yourself, the easier life will be later on.

If you’re now thinking that moving out is exactly the right step for you, then it’s time to handle a few organisational tasks to turn your move into a reality.

How do I organise my move?

Moving out for the first time sounds exciting – and it is! But to make sure that your start into independent life does not end in chaos, it’s important to start organising early. What should you keep in mind when moving out? How do you plan your move? And what else needs to get done? Here’s an overview of the most important steps:

Booking student accommodation

Especially in University cities, housing can be quite scarce at the start of the semester. If you plan to move into a student dorm, then you should apply for a spot as early as possible. The most popular student homes, like those from STUWO Student Housing, are often fully booked in no time.

Student dorms offer the advantage that you don’t need to worry about much beyond your personal belongings and a few kitchen utensils. Basic furnishings like a kitchen, bed, desk, and wardrobe are already provided. Even a pillow and blanket are usually included, so you’ll just need to bring your own sheets and duvet cover. Many dorms also offer an all-inclusive rent, which means electricity, heating, Wi-Fi, and other services are already covered.

So don’t wait to book your room at STUWO now and secure your spot in a student dorm!

Things you need when moving out

Depending on if you are moving into a furnished or unfurnished apartment, your moving preparations will vary. In most dorms, you only need to bring the essentials, but for an empty apartment, you’ll need to think about furniture, household appliances, lamps, curtains, etc

It’s best to start early with a packing list, because it will help you stay organised and make sure you don’t forget anything important. Think carefully about what you want to take with you and what might still want to leave at your parents’ place. Moving is also a great opportunity to get rid of things you no longer need.

Tip: Be sure to label your moving boxes! That way, you’ll know exactly what’s inside each one and can unpack systematically.

How will moving day work?

The hardest part is done – you found an apartment, a room in a shared flat, or a spot in a student dorm. Now all that is left is the actual move and depending on how well you plan it, moving day can be either smooth and easy or pretty stressful.

To make sure everything goes well during your move, there are a few things to keep in mind. The most important thing is to not forget the key to your new apartment. It’s also a good idea to provide some snacks and water for yourself and your helpers. If you plan to already spend your first night in your new home, pack a small overnight bag with everything you’ll need: clothes, a toothbrush, bedsheets, and a towel.

Be sure to organise help in advance, because moving on your own is almost impossible. Ask friends or family to help you, and don’t forget to book a removal van or even a professional moving service ahead of time. The better you’re prepared, the more relaxed your moving day will be.

Checklist for moving out

The move is done, and now your new daily life in your own place begins! To help you settle in quickly and make sure you don’t forget anything important, here are a few key things you should take care of after moving in.

Registration office

Whether your new address is your main residence or a secondary one, you have to register it with the local registration office. Within three days of moving in, you need to report your new address to the municipal authority of your new place of residence. Here’s what you’ll need:

your completed registration form (signed by your landlord or landlady)
a valid photo ID
your birth certificate

Tip: You can now also conveniently register your address online – but for that, you’ll need an ID Austria.

Don’t worry, there’s no fee for registering your new address!

Electricity and gas contract

Do you want to cook, take a hot shower or just turn the light on and off? Then it’s essential to set up your electricity and possibly gas contract when moving into your new home. Depending on the apartment, you may be able to choose your own provider. If you’re moving into an existing shared flat, you’ll usually just contribute to the existing contract. In that case, make sure to ask for a copy of the original contract to avoid overpaying.

To keep your energy costs low, try to save electricity whenever possible. Here are a few quick tips for saving energy!

Insurances

Getting household insurance isn’t a must, but it’s definitely highly recommended! Without it, you could face very high costs in case of damages. Household insurance for small apartments typically costs only around €100 per year, making it quite affordable even for students.

Furniture and Equipment

In case you are moving into a furnished student dorm, then you can mostly cross this point off your list – apart from a few kitchen items and personal belongings, there’s usually not much else you need to bring.

It’s a different story if you’re furnishing a room or an entire apartment. In that case, it’s a good idea to start by asking family and friends: maybe your grandparents have extra pots or dishes, or your aunt with the big attic is happy if someone takes over her old furniture.

Second-hand shops or online platforms like willhaben.at are also great places to find furniture and household items at low cost (or even for free). Not only does this save money, but it’s also more sustainable, as you’re reusing existing resources instead of buying new products.

Here are some extra tips and inspiration to help you set up your student room perfectly!

New isn’t always better - if you need to save money, second-hand furniture is a great option too! ©Adobe Stock

Groceries

Aside from rent, groceries are one of the biggest expenses in any student budget. It’s no surprise that students have a reputation for living off pasta and bread for days!

But if you’d like to have more variation in your meals, while still staying within budget, we recommend checking out our money-saving tips for cooking!

Cleaning schedule

You are moving in with your best friend and think nothing could come in the way of your friendship? Think again – even the best shared flat can end up arguing when it comes to cleaning.

That is why you should set up a cleaning schedule right at the start of your time living together. Whether you rotate tasks weekly or assign fixed responsibilities is up to you. What matters is that everyone knows their role to avoid unfair workloads or other unnecessary conflicts.

Laundry

Buying your own washing machine can be expensive. We recommend looking for a second-hand machine online or stopping by a nearby laundromat.

Moving into a STUWO student dorm? Lucky you – laundry rooms are already available on-site!

Homesickness

Don’t worry, homesickness is completely normal. Almost everyone goes through the following four phases at some point. But hang in there – it gets better!

1. Excitement about the new beginning

The first phase is filled with new experiences and lots of positive feelings. For the first time, you get to do whatever you want – you get to set up your place just the way you want and claim all the space for yourself.

2. Reality check

Suddenly it hits you that you are now left to your own devices. Clogged sinks, cleaning, weekly shopping, etc. Living alone comes with freedom, but also responsibility and effort.

3. Homesickness

Looking back, you start missing your familiar environment, your friends or your favourite home-cooked meal only your mum knows how to make. It’s okay to feel down or withdraw for a bit, that’s completely normal.

4. Acceptance

You’ve made it through the hardest part. You’re finally settling into your new home, finding your rhythm, making new friends, and discovering your favourite restaurants or cafés. Life no longer feels so new and unfamiliar, and you are starting to develop a routine.

Conclusion: Moving out of home is an adventure

Taking the step into independent living comes with a lot of responsibilities. You have to manage your move, official registration, insurance, grocery shopping, and finding your new daily rhythm.

But moving out is also an adventure! You won’t just learn how to live independently, but you’ll also grow as a person. Sure, there will be a few longing calls to mum or dad. But there will also be moments of pride, like when you furnished your own place, did laundry for the first time, or successfully cooked your favourite meal all by yourself.

We hope our tips for moving out help make things a little easier for you. And who knows, maybe we’ll even get to welcome you soon at one of our STUWO student dorms!

Questions?

We are happy to help!

info@stuwo.at

+43 1 40493 618

Apply now