Moving in together is a HUGE step in any relationship.
And it’s a great way to move things forward.
However, there are some things you need to pay attention to.
In this article, I am going to give you 16 tips to make it work (in 2022).
So if you are serious about moving in together with your partner, you need to read this.
Ready? Let’s dive right in!
Tip #1: Take (Moving in Together) Advice From Older People
I know you are wondering:
Am I ready to move in with my boyfriend (or girlfriend)?
We all have this question at least once in our lives.
The first tip I have for you is to seek advice from older people—people who have done this before and can share their perspective with you.
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I know that you may hesitate to do that, but older people always know something you don’t know.
And, I am sure they’d be glad to share their experiences with you.
Trust me when I say that this is one of the most crucial things to do before moving in together.
Tip #2: Set Up a Household Budget
Have you set up a household budget?
This is something you need to pay attention to when moving in with your partner for the first time.
Think about it this way: right now, both you and your partner have your own budget.
And this is fine—it works great in most cases.
However, living together means that you need to:
- Pay the bills together,
- Go to the grocery store together, and
- Buy furniture for your new home together.
Unfortunately, you can’t do that without setting up a household budget.
My advice is this:
Be realistic as to what your needs are, and respect your partner’s opinion on things.
Let’s move on to the third tip I have for you.
Tip #3: Make Sure You Are Not Doing This for the Wrong Reasons
What to consider before moving in together?
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Whether or not you are doing it for the right reasons.
Let me give you a couple of reasons that are NOT right:
- You are not independent and always need to be with someone
- You are looking for ways to share the monthly expenses
- You are looking for something closer to your work
The only reason why you should move in together is that it feels right and because you believe that this will take your relationship to the next step.
Tip #4: Get Your Own Life
As I mentioned in the previous tip, if you can’t be independent, then moving in together is not a good idea.
In order for this to work, both you and your partner should be independent and have your own activities and things you are passionate about.
“Yes,” you and your partner should have common activities, too.
But, expecting to do everything together is unrealistic and will harm your relationship in the long term.
Trust me on that.
Tip #5: Live Together for a Certain Period
Here is the hard truth: relationship changes after moving in together.
This is why you need to test your relationship before deciding to live together.
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And a great way to test it is by moving in together for a certain period.
After that test period, you can evaluate the situation and decide whether or not you should live together.
Let’s move on to the next tip.
Tip #6: Take One Trip Together
What’s one of the best ways to test your relationship?
Take one trip together.
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When I say trip, I don’t mean for 3-4 days.
Arrange something that will last at least for two weeks.
This will give you an idea of how it is to spend all of your time alone with your partner.
Tip #7: Set Up a Plan for Sharing Expenses
Many young couples have moved in together and fighting with each other.
The reason?
They didn’t have set up a plan for sharing expenses.
Similar to the second tip I gave you, setting up a plan for sharing expenses is one of the best things to do when moving in together.
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It doesn’t have to be something incredibly detailed, rather than just a Google sheet with all the expenses you’ll have every month.
This way, you’ll both know what to expect.
Tip #8: Get to Know Each Other Better
Are you still wondering what you should know before moving in together?
It’s your partner you should know.
“Yes,” your relationship is GREAT, and you are ready to take things to the next level, but moving in together requires many sacrifices.
What do I mean by that?
Are you are ready to make all these sacrifices for that person, plus are you sure you know that person?
You’d be surprised with how many couples didn’t know anything about each other before moving in together.
The result?
One of them will look for a new flat a couple of months later.
Don’t make the same mistake.
Tip #9: Be Open About Your Finances
I know that many people can’t be open about their finances.
However, being open and transparent is a great way to earn the trust of your partner.
For example, if you struggle financially, you need to be open about it so that your partner won’t have the wrong expectations when you live together.
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What else do you need to know before moving in with your partner?
Just keep reading…
Tip #10: Don’t Rush Into Things
There is no right question as to “when to move in together.”
Of course, there are some standards and golden rules, but these rules may not apply in all cases.
For example, should you move in together after only 6 months?
On the other hand, you can’t be dating for 3 years and still not living together.
This means that you need to find a balance, and that balance is different for every couple.
Moving in together after a year sounds reasonable.
But, once again, every relationship is different, and something that feels normal for you may not feel normal (or right) for someone else.
Find the sweet spot and go for it!
Tip #11: Be Open About Your Business Struggles
Many people find it difficult to talk about their business struggles.
However, being open and honest is a great way to establish trust.
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This is why I suggest that you start talking about your business struggles and things that keep you awake at night.
Let’s move on to the next one.
Tip #12: Weigh the Pros & Cons of Moving in Together
Living with your partner can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your whole life.
At the same time, living together can harm your relationship rather than help it evolve.
This is why I suggest that you weigh the pros and cons of moving together.
No need to be obsessed about it, but I strongly suggest that you do the math before taking the step.
Plain and simple.
Tip #13: Learn About Your Partner’s View on the Future
Couples moving in together have to understand one simple thing: it’s not about YOU anymore. It’s about you and your partner.
If you’ve decided to move in together with your partner, you might want to consider the fact that your partner is not willing to move forward after this.
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This is a caveat for many couples.
It is of paramount importance that you and partner have the same view on the future.
How can you ensure that you are on the same page?
Just have “the talk” and ask difficult—but fair—questions.
Tip #14: Find the Ideal Flat
Let’s say that you have your partner moving into your house or to your partner’s apartment.
That’s great.
And it saves you from the hassle of finding a flat in London.
But what if you don’t have a flat and you need to find a new one?
First, you need to find a London area that is suitable for you both.
Then, you need to find a flat that is both convenient and within your budget.
Finding a good flat is very important when moving in for the first time.
If you want to learn how to do it correctly, read the following guide we published a while back:
How to Find a Flat in London: 10 Tips You CAN’T Miss (in 2022)
Let’s move on to the next tip.
Tip #15: Be Prepared to Redecorate
When moving in together, there are definitely some things that you’ll need to buy.
Furniture, electronic devices, household appliances, and more.
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You might want to make a list of the things you’ll need before you move to your new flat.
If you have a flat already, you may want to make a list of the things that you’ll keep, and the ones that you’ll need to buy.
Bonus: Discover the best second-hand furniture shops in London on our massive list for 2022.
Let’s move on to the last tip I have for you.
Tip #16: Find a Trustworthy Moving & Storage Company
Your boyfriend told you: let’s move in together!
What’s one thing that you’ll need for sure before doing so?
You will need to move items and even store some of your things to save space for you and your partner.
This means that you need a trustworthy storage and moving company for your long term or short term storage.
Do your research before choosing a moving and storage company, and start your new life together without the hassle of removal.
Moving in Together Soon?
As you already know, moving in together is NOT easy.
This is why you need to think carefully before making this step.
At least now you know some of the things you need to pay attention to.
Are you thinking to move in together soon?
If yes, then you’ll need a moving and storage service like STORED.
We can help you:
- Move your items (or your partner’s) to your new home, OR
- Store your items so that you can save space for both of you.
If you are ready to take your relationship to the next level, contact us at 020 3637 1234, and talk to one of our storage and moving experts.
We are here to help you with your needs.
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