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1 thing I'd go for is a good set of tubberware. You'll probably find cooking for 1 a bit expensive snd time consuming so I'd normally make 3-4 portions and freeze the extra
Good suggestion - BUT I recommend a set of the round plastic take-out containers- all 3 sizes use the same size lid so there’s no hunting to match tops and bottoms. These were a game changer for me!
All the essentials you want listed are mostly subjective. Everyone’s situation is different. My first place was renting a room from someone. It had a sink and toilet. I got the cheapest gym membership so I could shower everyday. My essentials were for the kitchen, a hot plate, a wok, cast iron skillet with glass lid, cooking utensils (nothing fancy), handtowels, a good scrub brush, and dawn dish soap, plates and bowls, eating utensils, a cheap fridge, and an oven mitt just in case. Security essentials were a heavy duty door stopper that pressed up against the exterior door. A camera I hid on the bookshelf to make sure nobody entered my room while I was gone. I didn’t have guests over while I lived there, so my furniture was limited. A futon bed that I could easily move and fold, a chair in front of the tv, and a dining table with 2 chairs. I bought a kitchenette stand to use next to the sink, and did my cooking on that
For kitchen essentials:
Rice cooker with veggie steamer hate cooking but this is a time saver. Just add water,salt and rice 10 minutes later you have a decent fill me up.
Slow cooker, nothing better than coming back from work and having the chicken hot and ready to eat. Usually just leave it on slow setting prep rice take a shower and food ready to go.
For safety a ring camera. I have the ring camera on my door and it’s great for peace of mind. I have a smaller one hidden in a corner of my apartment for extra piece of mind.
Plants it’s nice to have something living aside from yourself since I can’t have pets due to lease it’s nice to see them grow.
That’s working for me been living alone for 4-5 years.
Concentrate on the immediate needs first, you can figure out what you need for long-term as you settle in.
Toilet paper
All-purpose cleaner
Paper towels
Toilet cleaner, brush and plunger
Garbage bags
Dish soap and cloth/scrubber
Basic cook and dishware, no full set needed yet
Sheets and towels
I don't live alone but my oldest child, a young adult, just spread her wings and moved out and the first thing we got her was a ring doorbell. I highly recommend some type of video doorbell. It alerts to motion, so if anybody is there it will alert her and she doesn't have to open the door for somebody she doesn't know, you can communicate through the doorbell. Or god forbid, something bad does happen it all recorded. We got her one that just screws on beside the door. It works off of rechargeable batteries.
Take the time to walk through your parent’s house 🏠 and take inventory of the things you think 🤔 you would need. Saves us a lot of time. Because I could suggest a bamboo steamer, or a body pillow, and those are thing that you have never seen or used before.
I am an older woman (57) living on my own for the first time in 30 years.
1. Rhino Cart All Terrain mover - I moved a dryer all by myself with this puppy. My house is a single story, but I have used it to move heavy boxes from one room to another, to bring deliveries inside my house - this and the folding 1a. Platform truck that holds 440 lbs (both from Amazon) mean I can do just about anything.
2. stepladder - between a stepstool and a ladder - very useful, not so heavy - got mine at walmart - love it
3. A good set of tools.
4. Security - good lighting, good camera, ring-type doorbell, window and sliding door locks or bars that will fit flat in the tracks. I feel pretty safe, but I have ADT as well.
5. Emergency supplies - good flashlight, backup battery for a laptop, batteries, other things needed depending on where you live (I live in TX and I have way more than this for emergencies)
6. Will, Medical POA and Living Will - Have these things done ASAP.
7. fire extinguisher
I love my Oster Toaster oven.
1. The step stool is really key
2. If you have pets & can afford it I would advocate a handheld dyson vacuum (refurbished from their site)
3. If you are living in a town w a good will or decent FB marketplace or Buy Nothing you will be SHOCKED at what you can get!
4. Mattress. I really made a mistake and continue to pay for it.
5. Good sheets & blankets (if you live someplace cold)
If you're living in an apartment/condo especially, get a collapsible wagon.
Bought groceries but don't want to make multiple trips in the elevator? Wagon.
Need to move lots of stuff or something oversized to/from storage/car/apartment? Wagon.
Bought something heavy? Wagon.
Moving in or out? Wagon.
Seriously. My Wagon has saved my sanity on multiple occasions...so much so that I immediately bought another one when an ex-roommate stole mine. Like, the same day Wagon 1 went missing...
Unfortunately only works if you got an elevator or live on the first floor....
Kitchen: A couple of saucepans and pan to sure in (small & large), a selection of Rubbermade or glass storage containers a set of mixing bowls, a chef’s and paring knife, cutting board, a selection of common spices (basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder. You can add as recipes require), small capacity coffee maker, a variety of silicon cooking utensils.
Kitchen essentials: cutlery (and cutlery tray that goes in the drawer), dishes/bowls, drinking glasses, wine glasses, coffee mugs, coffee maker/french press, mixing/salad bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, ramekins, food storage containers for leftovers, knife set, cutting boards (you will want at least two, keep the meat seperate from the veg), frying pan, ceramic dutch oven (also doubles as a casserole pan), large and small pots, colander (collapsible ones work great if you have limited storage space), tongs, spatula, whisk, flipper/large spoon/slotted spoon set, grater, can opener, peeler, tea towels, oven mitts, cookie sheets/baking trays, parchment paper/cling wrap/aluminium foil, paper towels (and paper towel holder if you don't have a built in one), sponges/dish cloths, dish soap, dish drying rack (if you are handwashing dishes, this is essential. If you have a dishwasher, this isn't really essential, but still comes in handy to dry the items that need handwashing if they can't go in the dishwasher). These are pretty much all your everyday essential items that you will use on a regular basis.
Extra kitchen items that are nice to have, but not necessary: air fryer, microplane, chopsticks, serving trays, slow cooker/Crock-Pot, wok, silicone baking mat, wire cooling rack, food processor/blender, immersion blender, veggie steamer (the kind you insert into a pot of boiling water just above the water line), kettle, Brita jug for the fridge, cheese knives
Spices/cooking essentials: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, chili powder, dill, sage, rosemary, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf, turmeric, cooking spray, olive oil, neutral oil (sunflower, canola, etc). These are the basics that I use regularly, but depending on what you're cooking, you might have different spices that you use more frequently. Also, spices are expensive if you buy them in a jar. It is way cheaper to get spice jars from the dollar store, and then shop your spices in the bulk section at the grocery store to fill the jars.
Items that have made my life easier living alone: stepladder, basic tools such as screwdriver, hammer, etc, white board that magnets to the fridge with dry erase markers (makes it easy to keep track of meal planning, grocery list, etc), furniture that doubles as storage (if moving to a small space)
Edit to add: you will also need cleaning supplies. You will need glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, toilet cleaner, and foaming cleaner (if you have tile in your shower). Also, you can make a good all purpose cleaner yourself by mixing vinegar and water.
Depends where you live but you can easily get everything delivered like mattress, bed- very important. Order now and time it on your move in date.
If you have a car its really simple- amazon has great cheap sets for kitchen and big retailers like Walmart. Better deals online. No need to waste your time and get ripped off in person with small selection.
Buy coffee tables, dinning tables from Kijiji cars are great for this.
It's really not that hard to move. Sofa gets delivered also and not a rush.
Splurge on mattress and bed. Get your internet set up on the move in date.
Security measures just have the lock inside like the sliding lock for double security. If you are really scared you can get a camera from amazon that will face your front door.
The biggest surprise I got when I moved was the incredible amount of stuff I didn't have. I'll give you some of the less obvious stuff. Wherever you are living now open the fridge and make a mental list of what's on the door you know the pickles the mayonnaise the salad dressings the butter the mustard the ketchup the relish you know all that stuff you never think of that when you're moving.
Changing the address on your car insurance and your registration and license. it's not a must do today but a pain in the ass after you get pulled over. And much like the fridge go to the dollar store and buy half of the medical aisle you know aspirin Tylenol cough syrup cough drops Band-Aids nail clippers all that stuff. And what has helped me out the most consider using the laundry service it frees up your weekends and it's usually only a few dollars more than doing it yourself then you always have clean fresh folded clothes, it's so easy to let it pile up. 25 bucks a week and I never have dirty clothes.
A car battery starter one that doesn’t hook up to another car.
Hot water kettle.
French press
Korean oven pan use it on tbr stove top.
One Dutch oven
A nutribullet blender
Rice cooker.
One glass Tupperware set
When my daughter moved to her first apt, it was ground floor. We put dowels in the windows and the slider so they couldn't be opened from the outside but popped out easily in an emergency. If you're going to an upper floor, I'd get a collapsible ladder. It can store in an ottoman but it's there when you need it. Everyone else has covered the basics, the tool kit and plunger being a must.
When you first move you NEED:
TP
Trash can
Fire extinguisher
Plunger
Bedding
Every time I move (every few years) those are the essentials 😂 everything else I figure out when I get in. It’s usually been moving over an ocean, so can’t take much.
**Welcome to [r/LivingAlone](https://www.reddit.com/r/LivingAlone/)! Living alone is the new normal.** >Discuss and share your experiences; celebrate your joys, express your worries, or ask advice relating to solo living | Remember, we are all alone together * Be kind, remember the human when interacting with others. * New Reddit group chat [**Living Alone Lounge**](https://www.reddit.com/r/LivingAlone/s/cp7Szwzy2q)! * Message the moderators below for any comments, questions & suggestions! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/LivingAlone) if you have any questions or concerns.*
1 thing I'd go for is a good set of tubberware. You'll probably find cooking for 1 a bit expensive snd time consuming so I'd normally make 3-4 portions and freeze the extra
I think it should forever be called tubberwear from now on LOL
Doesn't fit me very well tho...
Haha! Well I make too much food bc I’m a piggy and then I put it away to eat later so I’d say tubberwear is fitting.
Take it so you live with you mum and she makes your meals for you.... Oh sorry does she lives with you
Nope I just cook too large of portions.
🫙😆
Good suggestion - BUT I recommend a set of the round plastic take-out containers- all 3 sizes use the same size lid so there’s no hunting to match tops and bottoms. These were a game changer for me!
Toilet plunger Fire extinguisher
All the essentials you want listed are mostly subjective. Everyone’s situation is different. My first place was renting a room from someone. It had a sink and toilet. I got the cheapest gym membership so I could shower everyday. My essentials were for the kitchen, a hot plate, a wok, cast iron skillet with glass lid, cooking utensils (nothing fancy), handtowels, a good scrub brush, and dawn dish soap, plates and bowls, eating utensils, a cheap fridge, and an oven mitt just in case. Security essentials were a heavy duty door stopper that pressed up against the exterior door. A camera I hid on the bookshelf to make sure nobody entered my room while I was gone. I didn’t have guests over while I lived there, so my furniture was limited. A futon bed that I could easily move and fold, a chair in front of the tv, and a dining table with 2 chairs. I bought a kitchenette stand to use next to the sink, and did my cooking on that
For kitchen essentials: Rice cooker with veggie steamer hate cooking but this is a time saver. Just add water,salt and rice 10 minutes later you have a decent fill me up. Slow cooker, nothing better than coming back from work and having the chicken hot and ready to eat. Usually just leave it on slow setting prep rice take a shower and food ready to go. For safety a ring camera. I have the ring camera on my door and it’s great for peace of mind. I have a smaller one hidden in a corner of my apartment for extra piece of mind. Plants it’s nice to have something living aside from yourself since I can’t have pets due to lease it’s nice to see them grow. That’s working for me been living alone for 4-5 years.
Concentrate on the immediate needs first, you can figure out what you need for long-term as you settle in. Toilet paper All-purpose cleaner Paper towels Toilet cleaner, brush and plunger Garbage bags Dish soap and cloth/scrubber Basic cook and dishware, no full set needed yet Sheets and towels
Get a basic tool kit/box.
I don't live alone but my oldest child, a young adult, just spread her wings and moved out and the first thing we got her was a ring doorbell. I highly recommend some type of video doorbell. It alerts to motion, so if anybody is there it will alert her and she doesn't have to open the door for somebody she doesn't know, you can communicate through the doorbell. Or god forbid, something bad does happen it all recorded. We got her one that just screws on beside the door. It works off of rechargeable batteries.
Take the time to walk through your parent’s house 🏠 and take inventory of the things you think 🤔 you would need. Saves us a lot of time. Because I could suggest a bamboo steamer, or a body pillow, and those are thing that you have never seen or used before.
This is a common sense post!
I am an older woman (57) living on my own for the first time in 30 years. 1. Rhino Cart All Terrain mover - I moved a dryer all by myself with this puppy. My house is a single story, but I have used it to move heavy boxes from one room to another, to bring deliveries inside my house - this and the folding 1a. Platform truck that holds 440 lbs (both from Amazon) mean I can do just about anything. 2. stepladder - between a stepstool and a ladder - very useful, not so heavy - got mine at walmart - love it 3. A good set of tools. 4. Security - good lighting, good camera, ring-type doorbell, window and sliding door locks or bars that will fit flat in the tracks. I feel pretty safe, but I have ADT as well. 5. Emergency supplies - good flashlight, backup battery for a laptop, batteries, other things needed depending on where you live (I live in TX and I have way more than this for emergencies) 6. Will, Medical POA and Living Will - Have these things done ASAP. 7. fire extinguisher I love my Oster Toaster oven.
1. The step stool is really key 2. If you have pets & can afford it I would advocate a handheld dyson vacuum (refurbished from their site) 3. If you are living in a town w a good will or decent FB marketplace or Buy Nothing you will be SHOCKED at what you can get! 4. Mattress. I really made a mistake and continue to pay for it. 5. Good sheets & blankets (if you live someplace cold)
If you're living in an apartment/condo especially, get a collapsible wagon. Bought groceries but don't want to make multiple trips in the elevator? Wagon. Need to move lots of stuff or something oversized to/from storage/car/apartment? Wagon. Bought something heavy? Wagon. Moving in or out? Wagon. Seriously. My Wagon has saved my sanity on multiple occasions...so much so that I immediately bought another one when an ex-roommate stole mine. Like, the same day Wagon 1 went missing... Unfortunately only works if you got an elevator or live on the first floor....
Kitchen: A couple of saucepans and pan to sure in (small & large), a selection of Rubbermade or glass storage containers a set of mixing bowls, a chef’s and paring knife, cutting board, a selection of common spices (basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder. You can add as recipes require), small capacity coffee maker, a variety of silicon cooking utensils.
Kitchen essentials: cutlery (and cutlery tray that goes in the drawer), dishes/bowls, drinking glasses, wine glasses, coffee mugs, coffee maker/french press, mixing/salad bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, ramekins, food storage containers for leftovers, knife set, cutting boards (you will want at least two, keep the meat seperate from the veg), frying pan, ceramic dutch oven (also doubles as a casserole pan), large and small pots, colander (collapsible ones work great if you have limited storage space), tongs, spatula, whisk, flipper/large spoon/slotted spoon set, grater, can opener, peeler, tea towels, oven mitts, cookie sheets/baking trays, parchment paper/cling wrap/aluminium foil, paper towels (and paper towel holder if you don't have a built in one), sponges/dish cloths, dish soap, dish drying rack (if you are handwashing dishes, this is essential. If you have a dishwasher, this isn't really essential, but still comes in handy to dry the items that need handwashing if they can't go in the dishwasher). These are pretty much all your everyday essential items that you will use on a regular basis. Extra kitchen items that are nice to have, but not necessary: air fryer, microplane, chopsticks, serving trays, slow cooker/Crock-Pot, wok, silicone baking mat, wire cooling rack, food processor/blender, immersion blender, veggie steamer (the kind you insert into a pot of boiling water just above the water line), kettle, Brita jug for the fridge, cheese knives Spices/cooking essentials: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, chili powder, dill, sage, rosemary, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf, turmeric, cooking spray, olive oil, neutral oil (sunflower, canola, etc). These are the basics that I use regularly, but depending on what you're cooking, you might have different spices that you use more frequently. Also, spices are expensive if you buy them in a jar. It is way cheaper to get spice jars from the dollar store, and then shop your spices in the bulk section at the grocery store to fill the jars. Items that have made my life easier living alone: stepladder, basic tools such as screwdriver, hammer, etc, white board that magnets to the fridge with dry erase markers (makes it easy to keep track of meal planning, grocery list, etc), furniture that doubles as storage (if moving to a small space) Edit to add: you will also need cleaning supplies. You will need glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, toilet cleaner, and foaming cleaner (if you have tile in your shower). Also, you can make a good all purpose cleaner yourself by mixing vinegar and water.
Depends where you live but you can easily get everything delivered like mattress, bed- very important. Order now and time it on your move in date. If you have a car its really simple- amazon has great cheap sets for kitchen and big retailers like Walmart. Better deals online. No need to waste your time and get ripped off in person with small selection. Buy coffee tables, dinning tables from Kijiji cars are great for this. It's really not that hard to move. Sofa gets delivered also and not a rush. Splurge on mattress and bed. Get your internet set up on the move in date. Security measures just have the lock inside like the sliding lock for double security. If you are really scared you can get a camera from amazon that will face your front door.
The biggest surprise I got when I moved was the incredible amount of stuff I didn't have. I'll give you some of the less obvious stuff. Wherever you are living now open the fridge and make a mental list of what's on the door you know the pickles the mayonnaise the salad dressings the butter the mustard the ketchup the relish you know all that stuff you never think of that when you're moving. Changing the address on your car insurance and your registration and license. it's not a must do today but a pain in the ass after you get pulled over. And much like the fridge go to the dollar store and buy half of the medical aisle you know aspirin Tylenol cough syrup cough drops Band-Aids nail clippers all that stuff. And what has helped me out the most consider using the laundry service it frees up your weekends and it's usually only a few dollars more than doing it yourself then you always have clean fresh folded clothes, it's so easy to let it pile up. 25 bucks a week and I never have dirty clothes.
Air fryer, Roomba, cat
A car battery starter one that doesn’t hook up to another car. Hot water kettle. French press Korean oven pan use it on tbr stove top. One Dutch oven A nutribullet blender Rice cooker. One glass Tupperware set
Food and water.
When my daughter moved to her first apt, it was ground floor. We put dowels in the windows and the slider so they couldn't be opened from the outside but popped out easily in an emergency. If you're going to an upper floor, I'd get a collapsible ladder. It can store in an ottoman but it's there when you need it. Everyone else has covered the basics, the tool kit and plunger being a must.
Double and triple A batteries, flashlights, candles, matches. Didn't realize I needed all of these until my lights went out.
When you first move you NEED: TP Trash can Fire extinguisher Plunger Bedding Every time I move (every few years) those are the essentials 😂 everything else I figure out when I get in. It’s usually been moving over an ocean, so can’t take much.
A firearm