Moving into your first off-campus apartment or townhouse near the University of Oregon is exciting… but also kind of chaotic.

Between packing and figuring out utilities, move-in week can feel overwhelming fast.

Whether you’re relocating from another Oregon city or moving to Eugene from out of state, this guide will help make your move smoother, less stressful, and way more organized.

Looking for Off-Campus Housing Near the University of Oregon?

At Mallard Properties, we offer townhouse-style rentals with private entrances and a more quiet, “home” like feel, just blocks from the U of O campus. 

We’re Eugene locals and UO alumni who can help you navigate the competitive rental market. Check out our available rentals page below for transparent pricing, video walkthrough tours, and up-to-date availability. 

There are NO application fees to apply, and we make the entire leasing process easy with online document sharing and e-signatures.

Before You Move

Book Important Services Early

The closer it gets to September move-in season in Eugene, the busier everything gets.

If needed, schedule moving trucks or movers early. 

And most of all, don’t wait to sign a lease agreement. UO off-campus housing rentals fill up FAST, so we recommend securing your home between mid-January and spring, well before the fall move-in season.

Update Your Address & Utilities

Before move-in:

• Submit a USPS address change
• Set up utilities
• Transfer or cancel old services
• Schedule internet installation early

Common Eugene utilities include EWEB (for power), NW Natural Gas (for gas), and Xfinity for Internet. 

Check out our Resources page for links to more utility providers, including furniture rental companies.

And keep in mind that some of our rentals come with utilities like water, sewer, and garbage included!

Declutter Before Packing

Moving is the perfect excuse to get rid of stuff you don’t actually use.

Donate or sell:

• Old clothes
• Extra furniture
• Random kitchen gadgets
• Decor you no longer want

The less you move, the easier move-in day becomes. Plus, decluttering is kind of fun, if you’re into Marie Kondo’s “sparking joy.”

Packing Tips That Actually Help

Pack One Room at a Time

Trying to pack your entire apartment all at once = instant chaos.

Focus on one room at a time to stay organized and avoid burnout.

Label Your Boxes Clearly

Future-you will thank you.

Label boxes with:

• Room name
• What’s inside
• “Fragile” if needed

PRO-TIP: Want to re-use your boxes? Don’t take your sharpie pen to the box itself. Instead, tape a piece of paper to the side and write your description on it. That way you can remove and leave the box clean for the next time you need to move.

Use Towels & Blankets as Padding

Last time we checked, a roll of packing paper was 14 whole dollars at big box stores. Woof!

Save money on packing paper and bubble wrap by using:

• Towels
• Hoodies
• Blankets
• Pillows

Perfect for protecting dishes and electronics. 

Keep Important Items With You

Pack a separate “first night” bag with:

• Chargers
• Medications
• Toiletries
• Water bottles
• Snacks
• Change of clothes
• Important documents

Trust us — you do not want to dig through 12 boxes looking for toothpaste at midnight.

Move-In Day Tips

Make Your Bed First

After carrying boxes all day, the last thing you’ll want to do is assemble bedding.

Set up your bed early so you can crash immediately later.

Bring Basic Cleaning Supplies

Even professionally cleaned apartments benefit from a quick wipe-down.

Helpful items:

• Paper towels
• Sanitizing wipes
• Trash bags
• Dish soap
• Vacuum or broom

Don’t Forget a Toilet Plunger

Nobody thinks about this until it’s urgently needed.

Buy one before move-in day.

Seriously.

Living With Roommates? Communicate Early

Before moving in together, discuss:

• Cleaning expectations
• Shared supplies
• Guests
• Quiet hours
• Parking
• Utility splitting

Clear expectations now = fewer roommate issues later.

The process may feel stressful at first, but a little planning makes everything easier. And once the boxes are unpacked, you’ll finally get to enjoy having your own space in Eugene.

Renting Near UO Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

At Mallard Properties, we keep the leasing process simple with online applications, no application fees, transparent pricing, and trusted, local support when you need it.

Whether you’re a UO student or working professional, check out our available rentals page today for up-to-date pricing, availability, photos, and video walkthrough tours, and find your new home-away-from-home today!

You can also check out our Rental Process Overview and FAQs pages for more detailed answers to questions about leasing, maintenance, and more.