Moving into apt after divorce - what to buy/whats included in apt?

[lbrown1618]

I'll be getting a divorce soon and once its finalized moving out of our home into an apt (or condo or whatever) but DH and kids staying in home. Once everything is filed, finalized and done, its probably going to be toward the end of the year so I have some prep time

I haven't a clue at this point what I'll be taking and what will be staying in the home. I also don't have any clue what is included in an apt/condo that I won't need to buy. I want to start looking for deals, watching craigslist etc so I can begin to accumulate things. Some things that come to mind...appliances furniture etc.

Refrigerator
washer/dryer
dishwasher
TV
dining table

From our current home, I will get at least one couch and some chairs.
I know I'll need a bed for both kids and myself, those will obviously stay with the house. Will a fridge be included in the apt? Will I take half the dishes/utensils/pans or does one of us keep all and the other buys new sets? I'm so lost!!

Hopefullly some of you have gone thru something similar and can provide some guidance.

[manders13]

every apt i've been in has a Fridge and stove..

Washer and Dryer= 2 of the places i lived had on site laundr but you used quarters (like a laundry mat) to pay to use them..

1 of the 3 places i lived (2apts 1 townhouse) had a dishwasher (usually more $$ a month on rent)

[cearhart]

Apts have a fridge, and stove. When I got divorced I took everything. It is up to you guys who takes what. There is a place in your divore papers for you to write in what property is yours. Talk to your ex and make a list of what he will keep and what you will take. Try to separate things you have more than 1 of and other things make a deal if I get this you can have that. Apts either have a washer/dryer or sometimes they have hook ups where you can bring your own. Or there is a facility where you can do laundry. I wish you the best of luck my divorce is almost final as well Pm me if you need to talk....

[ladywaterwind]

It's usually the standard that a fridge and stove are included, and water, lawn service, and trash for utilities.

Some places will furnish an apartment completely. Some have washer and dryers, or hookups so you can put your own in, usually most have an on site laundry mat for the complex.

All the iffy stuff:
dishwasher
pets
electric (I've heard of some that pay this, but all I've ever lived in don't)
cable tv (same as electric)
air conditioner (most I've lived in include this, but one, in an older building, you had to supply your own)


The best thing you can do is take tours. Go in, see what the apartment feels like, what the outside area looks like. Some will have waiting lists, so it's good that you have the time to look around and get on those when you need to be.

Also, a tip of when you first move in, make sure to make a list of any knicks in the wall or any property damage like that to anything the complex owns in your apartment and file a copy with the landlord. That way you're not responsible for those knicks and such when or if you move from there.

[jen276here]

Have you sat down w/ your husband and discussed what should stay w/ him and what should go w/ you? Obviously you don't want to gut the place of everything, however you are entitled to what is yours too. If something becomes a debate, it may be worth it to just leave the item (I'm not saying give in, but you don't want to create more tension, that the kids may see, over a piece of furniture, KWIM?) Once you two establish what stays and goes, I'd make a list, going room by room of what you will need to buy. However, if you do not have an apt yet, you may want to consider not buying everything until you are sure of space and such.

Most apt. in my area include the fridge and stove. Laundry was provided in the one apt I lived in, but I knew the owner and he let me use his at no charge, but that is not common. You may be able to get an apt. unit that hides in a closet and may hook to the sink when needed if you are particular about using a public machine. Pretty much everything else may be needed to furnish the place though. Don't forget to scour Target/Kohl's/whoever's clearance sales where you may be able to find a brand new item you need for less than a used one, with the right sale.

Sorry you guys are going through this. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you and your family.

[Ggbwg]

You will just want to call wherever your applying and ask them. Every unit will be different.

Most places we lived came w/
garbage disposal
shower curtain or doors
Refrigerator
some had a dishwasher
stove
1 place came w/ microwave

There pretty basic. Some places have on site laundry, you just pay for your loads.

[aCRaZyCoUpoNgiRl]

I have been divorced 2 1/2 years now, I was married 13 years. We split most things up in the divorce decree, I wanted the furniture, bed set, pictures and the car. I let him keep the house instead of selling it, and I also let him keep the kids with him just because they were 10 and 12 and they didn't want to move out of the school district. I miss seeing them everyday! I moved in with my sister and stayed there for about 1 year, I was grieving the whole time....and now eventually was able to get my own place....To this day, I have not spoken to my ex....I just talk to my children and arrange to have them picked up every other weekend.....

I think if you go to rent.com, you can browse different cities in which to rent from and what apts have to offer....

[manders13]

Originally Posted by Ggbwg You will just want to call wherever your applying and ask them. Every unit will be different. Most places we lived came w/ garbage disposal shower curtain or doors Refrigerator some had a dishwasher stove 1 place came w/ microwave There pretty basic. Some places have on site laundry, you just pay for your loads.

wow! Yea i never had those! now the house i'm in came with that stuff but it's a furnished house of a co worker of my husbands.

i do NOT recommend getting a FURNISHED apt. (bed bugs and such yuck!) Also make sure you find out if you pay your own heat/water or if the landlord does! Also make sure you find out if they spray for roaches/bedbugs (even the nicest places still have these problems!!)

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS document and take pictures when moving in! that little ding on the wall you think is no biggie, is a real big deal when they accuse you of doing it!

[notsyourbeezwax]

Different areas have different standards. I have had apartments that did have stove and fridge, and those that did not. Generally apartment complexes do, and converted homes, etc do not. I had always thought that a furnished apartment meant that it had furniture in it. But in that particular area of the country, it meant a stove and fridge!

When my husband and I split up, I got pretty much what I wanted of the furniture, etc, since he was the one who walked out. My sister-in-law was so anxious to get out of her marriage that she let him keep her grandmother's silver and china. Her mother had a cow when she found out. The ideal situation is that you will both sit down and agree on how to split up your belongings.

Good luck. I know what a rough time this is for you.

[lbrown1618]

Originally Posted by soniainmn72 I have been divorced 2 1/2 years now, I was married 13 years. We split most things up in the divorce decree, I wanted the furniture, bed set, pictures and the car. I let him keep the house instead of selling it, and I also let him keep the kids with him just because they were 10 and 12 and they didn't want to move out of the school district. I miss seeing them everyday! I moved in with my sister and stayed there for about 1 year, I was grieving the whole time....and now eventually was able to get my own place....To this day, I have not spoken to my ex....I just talk to my children and arrange to have them picked up every other weekend..... I think if you go to rent.com, you can browse different cities in which to rent from and what apts have to offer....

You sound very similar to me. Married 10 yrs and we have 2 kids who will be 6 and 8 by the time this is done. We will have shared custody/time so I will need to have rooms/furniture for them.

I'm just sick over thinking of all this. Neither of us can afford to buy another of whatever the other person gets, like our bed for instance.

We've kinda agreed he will keep the house because there is no way I can maintain it even if I could figure out how to affrod it (which is another story). But with the economy, we are upside down so essentially I could be forced to give him other stuff to make up for my 1/2 of the negative equity. So he gets the house and the majority of the furnishings?? I am left with buying all the replacement stuff for my new place?? So not fair and its starting to make me sick!

I don't even know how to start a conversation about dividing up our stuff. See we are coridal right now, still living together, even sleep in the same bed (not sexually or anything)...so I fear that will go south quick if we start talking about dividing stuff. Obviously we will disagree on things, so then how do we handle it? Tell him "talk to my lawyer" - well that will go over like a terd in the punchbowl, no more living cordial. I hate this!!!!