"Girl Scout Basics" on Moving In an Apartment/Condo Unit

Last year I moved into an apartment. There were a lot of things I wasn't prepared for. There was also a lot of stuff I wasn't able to bring into the unit the first few days & weeks that we were trying to settle in. This is for the type of people who don't intend to have househelp with them. Hopefully, this article will help other people learn from my experience. Here I have categorized the important items to bring on your first few days.

Superstitious Stuff
(as suggested by family & friends)

This by far were the last things (or ingredients) I would think to bring in a new apartment on your first day, thinking we would just eat out or order take-out food for nourishment. Apparently, aside from the superstitious belief this would bring good luck to your life in your new home, these actually really help you in your first few days of settling in. The condiments (sugar, salt) can be used in adjusting your take-out food. Rice & oil would be needed when you have a stove already and would be craving to heat up your food or add some more rice to your take-out meals. Once you get more appliances for cooking and you get a refrigerator in, then you can use this along with the next category to make your own food.

• mantika/oil
• asukal/sugar
• asin/salt
• bigas/rice
• tubig inumin/drinking water
• poon/religious icon or crucifix
  

Food & Eating
Common sense tells you that you need this to survive if you would have to rely on just staying in your apartment and not buying food outside (or relying on relatives or friends to give you food.. haha!). Better bring a cookbook as well if you can't cook just yet! Also, you can use paper plates temporarily if you can't handle cleaning dishes yet.

• refrigerator
• stove/burner
• toaster oven
• microwave
• rice cooker
• whatever ingredients you need for dishes you like (meat, poultry, eggs, fish, vegetables)
  
• plus more rice, cooking oil & condiments (sugar, salt, pepper, patis/fish sauce, toyo/soy sauce, suka/vinegar)
  
• and more drinking water (get a jug or a water dispenser and a pitcher for storing water in the ref)
  
• cookbook
• utensils for cooking (pots & pans, knife, chopping board, mortar & pestle)
  
• utensils for eating (plates, fork & spoon, knife, glass)
  
• items to clean up (dishwashing soap/liquid, sponge, dish towel, napkins/paper towel)
  

Medicine
Something I have not anticipated is getting allergies or getting some other sickness in your new home just after a few weeks of moving in. Make sure you have the ff:

• first-aid kit (band-aid, etc)
• paracetamol
• immodium (or similar meds)
• vitamins (to keep you strong & increase your immunity in adjusting to your new environment!)

Toiletries/Hygene
No need to elaborate on this. You know what you need.

• soap
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• mouthwash
• shampoo &/or conditioner
  
• for guys: shaving stuff
• for girls: napkins & girly stuff
• toilet paper
• nail cutter! (something you usually forget)
  
• and the rest of the stuff you need: skin/face/hair products
• hot water device (if you prefer; the one you ask to install or the one you can buy & dip into the pail)
  

Laundry
Either send your dirty clothes to a laundry service or wash your own clothes. In the latter case, you'd need the ff:

• detergent powder/bar
• tabo & timba/pails
• washer/dryer
• water hose (depends on your need)
• clothes hanger or rope & clothespins

Cleaning
Something I didn't expect was to be cleaning everyday for the first few weeks. I assumed when they said the apartment would be ready, it would also be clean and free from dust & dirt. Although, if you're a somewhat clean-freak like me, you would see the little things, blemishes on the wall, on the light switches, doors & doorknobs, windows, closet and dust on the floor. You'd have this specially if your unit had a previous tenant. Cleaners don't usually see these little things plus, dust would settle in the days between the time the cleaners came & you arrive. Oh well, that's what usually happens in the city or in air-polluted areas. So don't forget to be ready with the ff:

• detergent/soap
• bleach
• basahan/rags
• mop
• walis tambo/indoor-soft broom
• walis tingting/outdoor broom
• dust pan
• vacuum (if you can afford one or borrow one)

Oh and some would prefer to either wash the toilets thoroughly before using (bleach/disinfect) OR buy new toilet fixtures instead (toilet seat, toilet flusher, sink knobs, etc). I guess this depends on a person's preference.


Sleep & Relaxation
Bring these unless you want to sleep on the floor

• bed & mattress (or banig/straw mat if you want)
• kulambo/screen cloth (if you haven't sprayed yet to get rid of bugs & mosquitoes)
• linens
• pillows
• electric fan or air-conditioner (although you have to call someone to install this)
  

Miscellaneous Items

• candles
• matches
• flashlight
• insecticide
• lamp
  

What else?
I think the above listed the basics. Of course you need clothes, shoes and other things you need for your school, work or whatever you are occupied with. Other things for leisure you can also add (tv, computer, xbox?). All these would need storage too so you'd need more shelves, racks, closets or cabinets. The big furniture could come in later (dining table & chairs, sofa & living room furniture). All the other stuff would eventually be added as the need arises.
Hope this helps!