Moving in Together: 4 tips for couples taking the next step

Most of us have found ourselves wanting to relocate at some point in our lives. According to the latest State of Moving report from the moving company Bellhops, there can be several reasons behind the decision: career pursuit, better living conditions, or even love. 

So, you and your partner are in love and are beginning to envision a future under one roof together? You have decided to take the next big leap in your relationship and are ready to start your journey towards a new home and a whole new life! 

Moving in together with your significant other is an exciting milestone to achieve. While the prospect is exhilarating, it is not an easy task as it can come with many dead ends and detours. As two individuals set out to merge their lives, there will be certain expectations and anticipations along the way, and it is natural to feel intimidated by it all. 

Fortunately, you will not have to set out on this challenge alone as you will have your partner by your side at every step of the way. To ease your worries and to answer any questions you may have, we have compiled an ultimate guide to ensure a seamless transition for you and your partner.

Here are four tips to successfully move in together with your significant other: 

1. Decide on Your Dream Home

If you and your partner find yourself at this stage, a big congratulations to you both, but let us get down to business! Will you be living in your house or your partner’s? Or will you be getting a new place altogether? 

Sometimes this can be a relatively easy decision to reach in cases where you both, let’s say, live in a studio apartment and want to move to a two-bedroom. However, if your partner already lives in a two-bedroom apartment, other factors should be taken into consideration like safety, amenities, commute to work, or even accommodation for any pets you may own. 

The best way to go about this all is to sit down with your partner and prepare a list of priorities that map out your must-haves. Once you have that ready, you are ready to start brainstorming over locations. This does not have to be an arduous task if you keep open communication between yourselves. 

Once you lock down your ideal house, combine your creative juices, and begin designing the perfect home for your love to grow. 

2. Sift and Declutter 

Two households becoming one means double the stuff in a limited space. This calls for some decluttering. Rummaging through your belongings will make you and your partner realize that you own several duplicates between both your apartments. You may discover two spatulas, two center tables, or even two large-sized dressers that cannot be squeezed into the space you both are moving to.

This is the time to take a good look around your apartments to make a list of items that you will either sell, donate, or toss out before packing your bags for your new home. Our advice is not to leave this simple task until the last minute because decluttering will reduce the number of items you are moving, therefore, reducing the overall cost of the move. 

Decluttering will also help you figure out the size of the apartment you both will be needing. If you try to squeeze in more items, you may end up paying more for a bigger place. Plus, removing unnecessary possessions is a great way to start a brand new chapter with a fresh and minimalistic outlook on life. 

3. Divide and Conquer Household Chores

Another infamous relationship-killer - household chores! When in the honeymoon phase, which is usually around the time couples decide to move in together, they often do not think it’s important to discuss such trivial matters. But this is, in fact, an important discussion that could potentially save your relationship in the long haul. 

It is not so much household chores that lead to conflict, but it is the imbalance of whoever is pulling more weight around the house and the subsequent frustration that it causes that is the problem. Initially, partners willingly pitch in and help out, but with time patterns develop and help is no longer freely given. 

In between busy schedules and making time for one another, we suggest reaching a middle ground right from the start. Lay out a plan and divide duties amongst each other when it comes to daily tasks. It could be as simple as deciding on who takes out the garbage and who takes care of the dirty dishes, but this will make it a lot easier to maneuver living together. 

4. The Money Talk

While you both may be in complete romantic bliss, it is time for some serious talk: finances! 

More often than not, money turns into a common relationship problem; therefore, it is best to get this right from the start. There is usually no escape when it comes to having sensitive discussions revolving around costs and bills, so bite the bullet and go straight into the nitty-gritty of financial planning and budgeting. 

You need to lay out how you both plan on paying for the upcoming expenses - whether you will split the overall cost 50-50, or will you divide and conquer responsibilities. 

You should both consider any current debts that either of you may have and set your insurance and individual security. Putting together cohabitation agreements helps keep a record of ownership should you decide to separate. While an uncomfortable thought to have at this point, it pays to act smart and secure yourself financially for the future. 

While planning and executing moving in together does take a fair deal of emotional and physical effort, keep in mind the end goal - once you sail past the initial phase, you will be spending each day with your best friend. 

Following our guide will help turn this journey into an adventure while laying down the foundation for a beautiful future. 

Let us hear from our readers! Are you currently cohabitating with your significant other? Do you have stories or a piece of advice for our audience? Let us know in the comment section below.