Move-In Day Checklist for boötes Residents
Home hits different here. Here's everything to pack, plan, and prep before you unlock the door.
Move-in day at boötes is lighter than most first apartments near campus. Your unit already comes furnished with the basics, a full private bathroom for every bedroom, an in-home washer and dryer, and smart home technology. So this checklist skips the furniture-store run and focuses on what actually gets your new place near MSU feeling like home on day one.
Quick answer: what to bring to boötes
Bring your bedding, personal decor, bathroom essentials, and kitchen items. Skip furniture, a washer and dryer, and major appliances since your boötes apartment is already furnished with those. Below is the full room-by-room list.
Before move-in day
Handle these a week or two out so move-in day itself is just carrying boxes.
Confirm your move-in date and time with the boötes leasing office at (406) 545-3177.
Ask about roommate matching if you still need roommates. Boötes helps pair residents so you land with people you'll actually get along with.
Set up your renters insurance policy before you get keys.
Register your vehicle for onsite parking, and check on garage access if you're in a 4-bed townhome with an attached garage.
Coordinate with roommates on shared items like a TV, area rugs, and cookware, since the apartment provides the furnished basics but not everything personal.
Plan your route to 2565 Bon Ton Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715, just off S 11th Ave near the MSU campus and Bobcat Stadium.
Packing list by room
Because boötes apartments come furnished with the basics, your list is shorter than a typical first apartment.
Bedroom
Sheets, a mattress protector, comforter, and pillows for your provided bed
Hangers and a hamper
Desk lamp and school supplies
Command strips or removable hooks for decor
Bathroom
Every bedroom includes its own full, private bathroom, so no schedule-juggling with roommates.
Shower curtain and bath mat
Towels and toiletries
Toilet paper and a small trash can
Kitchen
Your kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, so you're stocking it, not equipping it.
Pots, pans, and basic utensils
Plates, bowls, cups, and silverware
A few pantry staples to start (coffee, oil, salt, snacks)
Dish soap, sponge, and dish towels
Storage and gear
Storage bins for closet organization
Bike lock and gear for the onsite bike storage
Skis, snowboard, or boots for the onsite ski storage once winter hits
A crate or leash if you're bringing a pet, since boötes is pet-friendly with an onsite dog park and pet wash station
Tech and comfort
High-speed WiFi is already included, so just bring your devices and chargers
Power strips for extra outlets
Personal touches for your furnished living space: throw pillows, a rug, or wall art
What boötes already handles for you
Skip these entirely, since they're already part of your apartment or community:
Furnished bedrooms and living spaces
In-home washer and dryer
A full, private bathroom in every bedroom
Stainless steel appliances
Smart home technology
High-speed WiFi
Onsite parking, plus attached garages for 4-bed townhomes
Amazon package lockers for deliveries
Explore your amenities during your first week
Once you've unpacked, walk the property and try these out:
Year-round spa, cold plunge, and infrared sauna
24-hour, two-story fitness center
Private study pods and group study rooms for when finals season hits
Gourmet demo kitchen for cooking with friends
Exterior fireplace lounge with seating and a TV
Outdoor pizza oven and grilling patio
Game lounge with pool tables and corn hole
Dog park and pet wash station
Bike and ski storage
Move-in day logistics in Bozeman
Late-August weather in Bozeman typically runs warm during the day and cools off fast once the sun drops, so plan your heaviest lifting for morning or evening and check the forecast for afternoon thunderstorms, which are common in Montana summers.
If your move-in lands close to when MSU's residence halls open, expect heavier traffic near campus. Boötes sits off-campus on Bon Ton Ave near S 11th Ave, so you'll mostly avoid that congestion, but it's still smart to load your vehicle the night before and start early. Confirm your onsite parking spot or garage access ahead of time so you're not circling the lot with a full car.
A simple move-in day order that works well:
Unload boxes and personal items first since the furniture is already in place.
Make your bed and set up your bathroom essentials so both are ready by night one.
Unpack the kitchen next so you can cook a simple first meal instead of ordering out again.
Save decor, wall art, and organizing for day two.
Walk the property and check out the amenities once you're settled in.
Your first week checklist
Test the washer, dryer, and kitchen appliances
Set up your smart home tech
Locate the nearest grocery store and stock the fridge
Set shared-space expectations with roommates (chores, quiet hours, guests)
Time your commute or walk to MSU campus
Register your car and confirm your parking or garage spot
Pick up any packages waiting in your Amazon locker
Save the leasing office contact info in your phone
Frequently asked questions
When can I move into boötes? Move-in dates are set by your individual lease. Contact the leasing office to confirm your exact date and time slot.
Is boötes furnished? Yes. Boötes apartments come furnished with the basics a student needs, plus in-home washer and dryer, stainless steel appliances, and smart home technology.
Does every bedroom have its own bathroom? Yes. Every bedroom at boötes includes a full, private bathroom, so roommates never have to share.
What should I NOT bring to my boötes apartment? Skip furniture, a washer and dryer, and major kitchen appliances. Your apartment already includes them, so save the space in your vehicle for personal items instead.
Is there parking at boötes? Yes. Boötes offers onsite parking, and 4-bed townhomes can opt to add a space in their attached garage.
Does boötes help with finding roommates? Yes. Boötes offers roommate matching to help pair you with residents who fit your lifestyle.
How far is boötes from MSU? Boötes sits just off S 11th Ave near MSU and Bobcat Stadium, making it a convenient off-campus option for students who want space without a long commute.
Ready to make boötes home? Schedule a tour or find your floor plan before move-in season fills up.