Though moving in with your partner can be an exciting adventure, but it can sometimes prove to be a little challenging too. If you’re planning on moving in with your partner soon, be prepared as you could encounter a laundry list of unexpected hurdles that you and your will have to overcome as a team. Moving in with your partner can make or break a relationship forever. Many couples find a compromise to be the most crucial tool in taking the plunge.
When you and your partner decide to take the leap and move in together, don’t forget that your life will be changing drastically. Moving in together for the first time will be an inevitably bumpy transition out of full bachelorhood. Actually, there’s a lot more to it than just moving your stuff to a new place. The list includes finding new digs, sorting through your stuff, talking about money and rent that you both can afford, and most importantly being mentally prepared to share a space with each other all the time day and night. Still, if you care enough for someone to stay together then you can keep some important things in mind to make it work as this is a guide for couples moving in together for the first time with practical tips and advice to make your move a little easier and less stressful.
There can be a lot of reasons to move in with your significant other including emotional and financial. You may want to spend more time together and support one another. There are also many financial benefits like sharing rent and groceries and getting rid of the time and expense of commuting to see each other. After deciding to move in together, then consider a few important matters before, during, and after your home search to ensure a smooth transition from separate backgrounds to one happy home.
Table of Contents
Before You Search for a New Place
You should follow a few steps before you start searching for a rental apartment as these steps can save you some time, money and stress before the move.
Step 1: Take a good look at all of your stuff
Basically, moving stands for moving the stuff in our lives to another place. Now when you are moving in with your partner, most likely you’ll find a lot of duplicate things between your two apartments like two spatulas and two coffee tables and there will also be some things that you don’t want anymore. Now comes, bigger stuff like dressers and sofas that may not fit in the new place. So give a look at the stuff in both of your apartments and figure out what you’re keeping and what not. Decide if you want to sell, donate or throw before the move.
Step 2: Decide your place for living together
Now when you have decided to stay together, decide where you want to stay like whether you will move into their place, stay in yours or you both will find a new place together. If one person lives in a two-bedroom apartment then it will be a good decision to shift there but still, consider a few more points like commutes to work, accommodations for any pets, neighborhood amenities like parks, restaurants, and shopping, and safety. Discuss your must-haves with each other and if either of your places doesn’t make the cut, then start brainstorming a short list of locations.
Moving in together and Money matters
Cohabitation for many couples means increased involvement in each other’s lives including emotional, mental and financial. Sharing a few nights together or meeting on weekends is not the same as when suddenly your weekends-and-evenings partner becomes your full-time roommate and you’re sharing responsibility for basic necessities, like rent and food. You will also have to hire a reliable Movers NJ which again will be a costly affair. You must together search for a reliable and cost-effective company and enjoy a cost-effective move.
Some people even feel a loss of privacy and control of their individual finances which create tension in the relationship. But communication is the key to solve all the problems. As soon as you move in together, sit down and address your fears and worries related to money. Discuss what you afford and decide how to pay shared expenses.
Be sure to discuss all the financial issues with your partner
It is strongly recommended to set aside some time to have a talk with your partner where you lay out your complete financial picture including your income, credit score, any credit card debt or student loans, assets like savings and investments, and other financial obligations if any.
Decor styles
The two of you may have opposite tastes when it comes to styling your home. Don’t leave heart as proper communication can solve any issues. Discuss everything even the couch where you and your partner will spend the most quality time together. Try to settle at some point so both of you should agree on its style and comfort level. Openly discuss together everything like how to incorporate pieces of your own unique styles, cleanliness expectations and the budget for furniture and other stuff.
Communicate
Communication is the key to everything. You should feel comfortable enough to openly discuss everything that is on your mind with your boyfriend or spouse. Communication plays an important role to keep you both happy and content when you two become roommates. Clear the conditions in the beginning only like who will be responsible for things including handling the bills, taking the trash out, buying groceries, and wiping off the countertops. Most importantly, be there for each other, complement each other, and if you think your man is looking extra handsome, tell him before he walks out the door.
Though you may not wake up every day to a full breakfast spread and chase each other around in your underwear giggling, having your favorite person as your roommate is really one of the loveliest feelings in life. Take enough time to get to know your partner through a new perspective and learn to appreciate the values and lessons that it brings to your relationship.