Your booking is confirmed, your application approved, and your move-in date is just around the corner: it’s time to put together your coliving move-in checklist to pack your bags properly. This is often when doubts creep in about what you actually need to bring. By choosing coliving with Colivys, you save yourself the heavy logistics of a traditional move and the extra cost of buying appliances and furniture. Your home is already fully furnished and ready for you. That means you can travel light and focus on the essentials.
Open your suitcase, let’s get started!
In this article:
Move-in checklist: What do you really need to bring to a coliving space?
Moving to a new city or abroad involves a significant budget. Coliving and Colivys remove that hassle: you move into a fully functional, move-in ready apartment, without having to worry about any of the setup logistics.
Your private room: A furnished space designed for studying and relaxing
Your personal space offers privacy while giving you the perfect environment to study. No need to rent a moving van to haul heavy furniture. In your room, you’ll find:
- A comfortable bed with a mattress.
- A proper ergonomic desk and chair for productive study sessions.
- A wardrobe or closet to organize your whole wardrobe.
- A power strip already plugged in for your phone, computer, and all your other electronic devices.
Shared spaces: A fully equipped kitchen and appliances included
At the heart of coliving with Colivys, shared spaces are built for social living. The kitchen comes fully equipped with cookware and tableware to make daily life easy for everyone.
On site, you’ll have access to:
- Stovetop burners, an oven, a microwave, and a large refrigerator.
- Pots, pans, and utensils to cook your favorite meals.
- A full set of plates, glasses, mugs, and cutlery.
- A washing machine built right into the apartment, saving you expensive trips to the local laundromat.
Things you should definitely leave at your parents' house
Save space in your luggage!
Leave these at home for good:
| Heavy furniture and decor | There’s no need to bring shelves, a chair, or a mattress: everything is already set up in your new coliving room. |
| Small appliances | Don’t clutter your luggage with small appliances: the shared kitchen is already fully equipped with everything you need. |
| Personal tableware | Bringing your own dishes only unnecessarily clutters the shared storage space. |
Student essentials to pack in your suitcase
Now that you know what’s already provided in the apartment, let’s focus on the other essential items for your move. Planning ahead is key to a successful coliving experience.
Administrative documents and tech gear
If you lose a t-shirt, you can easily buy a new one. But if you forget your paperwork, setting things up can get stuck right from day one.
Keep these in a secure folder or your backpack:
- Official documents: ID card or passport, visa (if you’re an international student), proof of enrollment or employment contract, and your booking confirmation.
- Health documents: French health insurance card (carte Vitale), private insurance proof, or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Tech gear: Laptop, phone, headphones, and all your chargers. Remember to keep digital copies of your ID and official documents so you can easily access them on your phone or computer. If you’re coming from outside the European Union, make sure to pack a power plug adapter for French outlets. It would be a shame not to be able to use your hairdryer or charge your phone!
Bedding and bath towels
To make sure you sleep comfortably on your very first night, you need to plan ahead for your linens.
Here’s what to check:
- Bath towels: Pack one or two towels so you can easily rotate them on laundry days.
- Bed dimensions: Make sure to check your Colivys listing on the website before you leave to confirm the exact mattress size (single or double bed) and buy the right sheets.
- Don’t have space for a fitted sheet, duvet cover, and pillowcases? Colivys has you covered! Depending on the plan you choose, linen packs are available as an add-on or already included in your booking. You won’t have to worry about a thing—your towels and sheets will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Thanks to the turn-key option offered by Colivys, filling out your move-in checklist is easy. All you have to focus on is yourself and the essentials—a huge relief for traveling light.
The survival kit for a stress-free first night
After several hours of traveling, fatigue sets in. You open the door to your new room, set your bags down, and just want to rest. To avoid the classic trap of arriving to closed shops, pack a small first-night essential bag.
Essentials: the mini hygiene and cleaning kit
Remember to bring your own essential items so you don’t run short during your first few hours there. You’re new, and your roommates might have forgotten to restock the basics.
| A roll of toilet paper for emergencies. |
| A new sponge and a small bottle of dish soap. |
| A travel-size laundry detergent for immediate needs. |
Quick meals and handy comfort items
On your first night, you won’t have the energy or the time to cook a elaborate meal. The goal is simply to refuel quickly. If ordering takeout isn’t your thing, or if you’re just feeling lazy, remember to pack:
- A simple, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare meal (instant noodles, pasta, or canned food).
- A few cereal bars or dry snacks for breakfast the next morning.
- A pair of earplugs. Even if coliving promotes a quiet environment, a new noise landscape can sometimes disrupt your sleep during the first few nights.
Smart habits before packing your bag and arriving
A successful move is 80% preparation. A few minutes spent checking your phone will save you unnecessary weight and duplicate purchases.
Review your exact room listing on the Colivys website
Before zipping up your bags for good, head back to the Colivys website. Check your room’s detailed listing to review every item included.
Doing this helps you:
- Check the exact bed dimensions so you get the right sheet size.
- Confirm which accessories are already provided.
- Instantly remove any item from your suitcase that’s already listed on the page.
Wait to talk with your roommates before buying shared equipment
The excitement of moving can sometimes lead to buying things too quickly. A costly mistake.
When you arrive, take the time to talk with the current residents. Your roommates might already have a shower squeegee, a drip coffee maker, or shared spices. Having a quick chat avoids duplicates and lets you split the costs for future group purchases.
Adopt the coliving mindset: community, savings, and privacy
Joining Colivys means choosing a modern, flexible lifestyle. You get access to premium housing for a price much lower than an individual studio, while avoiding the isolation that often comes with the first few months in a new city.
Coliving relies on a simple balance:
- Sharing: Great moments together in the living room or kitchen after a day of classes.
- Mutual support: Valuable advice between local and international students to help you settle in quickly.
- Respect: A private room that remains your sanctuary whenever you need peace, study time, or rest.
Get your bearings in the neighborhood and plan your commute
The first few days are often intense, filled with starting classes, exploring your new home, and settling in.
To navigate this transition smoothly, take twenty minutes to map out your immediate surroundings on a maps app. Locate the nearest supermarket for your initial grocery run, the local bakery, the pharmacy, and the bus or metro stops that take you to school or work.
If you plan on using public transport daily, look into the student passes available in the city ahead of time: ordering your transit card online a few days before leaving keeps you from wasting time in line the day after you arrive.
Starting a new chapter in a different city always brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. By following these tips, you’ll avoid overpacking, duplicating existing items, and blowing through your savings as soon as you arrive. You can focus purely on your personal belongings, official documents, and tech gear.
This is where coliving truly makes sense: making your move to France completely hassle-free. Thanks to a 100% online booking process, you can find your home from afar without touring dozens of studios or dealing with endless paperwork. Once your booking is confirmed, the team guides you step-by-step so you can prepare for your arrival with total peace of mind. On-site, you’ll join an international community of over 100 nationalities—the ideal setting to connect, make friends from day one, and settle in immediately, all while keeping the privacy of your own room.
All that’s left to do is pack your bags and book your ticket. Your adventure starts now!
