Moving to a flat - how to prep differently to a house?

[BiddyPop]

@Blackeyedsusan you're right, starting a thread is a good idea (sometimes it's a "can't see wood for the trees" thing with too many things at once).

I should know by early next week, but it is quite likely that I'll be moving from my suburban semi-d with small Garden to a flat in a European city centre at the end of the summer for a few years. A city that has seen some issues in the past.

I feel I am pretty well set up for likely events at home. And I will probably bring my camping gear so will have a 1 ring gas stove and lanterns and water barrel with me.

But I will have to start a lot from scratch and I know things will be different (not necessarily have a rainwater butt off the roof etc). And get a lot of electrics again as different voltage. But I will be solo so that probably makes it easier...mostly.

So any thoughts on what to do differently would be great.

And also any ideas on specific things to look for when flat hunting would be really useful. I know I want a balcony to sit and have a couple of window boxes for salads etc, but that may not be possible. But any other things to look for would be great.

Thanks in advance for the wisdom 😁

I would consider:

Weather and climate:

Which level: ground floor may be prone to flooding and no where to escape to. You are also at the mercy of whomever is above not overflowing baths/loos.

Which aspect?
Dual aspect for through flow of air.
Growing plants on balcony/windowsill
Warmth from sun in winter or shade from sun in summer.

Whether the flat has outside shading for windows.

Whether there are lots of trees to cool the environment or is it all concrete creating a heat island.

On phone so posting in shorter blocks.

Community? What are neighbours like? In all day to keep an eye on security? Young and fit,

Communal areas? Well maintained, cost a lot to upkeep, secure , safe to return to at night? Lighting in hallways?eases of escape? (Eg Is it a building with fifty million bikes padlocked to stairways?
Would definitely go low rise and within access of fire ladders.

You really need to understand the service charge and how it is run and if there any disputes, speak to another resident if you can.

Ground floor storage. (Some places have a cupboard for each flat) for the camping stove/fuel. Bags of compost.

Indoor storage. Some near door for grab bag.

Are the stairs spacious enough to get furniture up and down?

Are balconies strong enough for plant pots?

It largely depends on city. I've lived in quite a few places, and even in very stable cities the things to consider for housing vary widely. You really need to ask questions on a forum specifically for that city.

E.g. France: is there a concierge/gardienne, does it have a list you can take furniture in or do you need to hire a crane? Switzerland: how does the laundry work, will you get more than 1 slot per week and can you use your own wash detergent, are you allowed to shower after 10pm? If you add in which neighbourhoods regularly lose power or other issues in a more chaotic place you really need local knowledge.

Sorry, I just noticed this is the preppers board. Honest answer, having done covid in Paris, is don't even think about it! If you're that worried about the end of the world a European city is not the place to be. Apartment living assumes you can get to a shop every day and your bank card will always work. The point of cities is to live fast and die young.

Also you will need to prep for the same stuff that you would in a house but the solutions might be different.

Thanks all - yes I'm not one for the apocalypse, just tend to think ahead like a proper girl guide...

I'll be mostly solo for a 4 year posting, but will be entitled to rent a 2 bed apartment in Brussels (my plan is walking distance to European District). Not sure whether to try for a modern box or older high ceilings place - both have good and bad points.

And while DH rolls his eyes at me at times, even he appreciates having some contingencies thought through beforehand. So really that's what I'm at - what can I do to have a plan if I need it, but in a different environment and slightly different way of life.

(And at my stage, I don't rule out frequent "buy for tonight's dinner" shopping trips due to long hours, but I tend to like cooking etc so I plan to be organising myself for a fortnightly proper grocery trip by taxi and just not facing cooking things I have in the cupboards some nights rather than the New York thing of "a fridge is only for bagels and cream cheese and apartments don't need a cooker").

The camping gear is as much for use out camping and having adventures when I have the opportunity 🤣

Haha! Ok, I'd go for a modern box. It's more likely to have a storage locker in the basement, although you might hit lucky in an older flat. It will also be warmer/cooler, better insulated and more sound proof. If the electric or hot water go out it'll be much more comfortable.

Mostly based on my covid experience: make sure you have all your documents in all of EN/FR/NL in one place at your residence all the time, with proof of address. Have an encyclopedic knowledge of all transport options out of the country. Stockpile basic medication like paracetamol because it's really expensive. Tip the concierge well for backup and a blind eye or make friends with the block busybody or residents' council! They used to turn the water off at random one place I lived so large recepticles in the fridge at a good idea

Oh, and comfortable shoes, an AtoZ, a cheap ugly bicycle with a heavy lock and €100 in cash for a taxi for when the public transport inevitably goes on strike. You can't buy a bike for love nor money after 4 days of metro strikes :D

I’ve never bought this https://www.amazon.com/Edible-Balcony-Indira-Naidoo/dp/1921382538/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1I6WO9N95RTE3&keywords=Naidoo%2C+indira&qid=1683887203&sprefix=naidoo%2C+indira%2Caps%2C356&sr=8-2 because I don’t live the life but you may fine this or something sImilar useful.

Thank you all.

Some very good points - some for when I am hunting for lodging and some to think about now. I had forgotten how I used to have the A-Z book for this city and how practical it was. Bike is also a good shout. I love a good book too 🤣

And storage in the building is something I hadn't thought about - I know there are storage units in teh city but not necessarily as practical as the one we have here that I can get to all weekend and a couple of later evenings, not just office hours. We use it for camping, Christmas dec and lots of off-season things and old furniture. So some of those would still be important. But storage in the building would solve lots of those things.

(Should be prepping for the interview but in slight panic instead about am I doing the right thing...) I'm sure I am 😬

Good luck with the interviews! It'll be fine, and the worst that happens is you quit and go home.

Do you want more useless suggestions to Google? A silk ladder or slide tube to use as fire escape. I always get pollen allergies in new cities because there are slightly different plants so an air purifier. A large plastic rook to stop the seagulls sitting on your balcony railing. Specialist earplugs molded to your ears in case you get noisy neighbours. Fluffy sliders for slopping to the bins in the morning. Discrete binoculars to spy on the neighbours in the opposite block. We had a closed order of nuns next door in one block which was fun. A really funky wheeled trolley to drag round the market/turn into a mad bag lady when the world ends.

Oh well, results came out today and I am the reserve on a panel. So I can just be happy in my little house and not worry about starting anew.

But thanks for all the tips!

Discrete binoculars to spy on the neighbours in the opposite block 😂

After I made a strong 2nd place showing in the previous job interviews, the girl who got it went 3 weeks ago.

Last week, the other person there decided to move to a different job so my bosses asked could I still go but in a faster timeframe.

So it's all back on the cards with 7 weeks lead time instead of 12-16 weeks!

Discrete binoculars have now been added to my list 🤣 and a funky shopping trolley. Local A-Z on my next trip so it helps with the apartment search (I'll have to do meetings before I go, probably as early as end of next week).

Being realistic, I need to figure out if bringing 1 tent and minimal camping gear is a good idea for summer adventures. But I will throw in the 1 ring gas canister cooker, 1 sleeping bag (for extra visitors😀), solar panel to charge my power bank, couple of torches, and 10l water barrel as "useful regardless" items.

I'll be bringing my electric bike, but need to make sure there's storage on ground floor or a lift to bring it up (it's great but heavy!!!).

Docs in all languages going on my checklist.

Meds stocked up before I go.

And some good things to remember when searching - like the trees to break up heat, how useful a balcony could be to sit and grow things, and if there's shade generally. And about the neighbours and how the building works.

This morning will be spent putting together my inventory for movers as those quotes need to be done "no later than 8 weeks before departure" ...but bosses want me already settled there in 8 weeks. 😱

That sounds exciting! Good luck!

Before you take your bike, check local insurance. In Amsterdam certain electric bikes are now so likely to be stolen that they won't insure them anymore! You will also probably need personal liability insurance in case you cycle into a car