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Moving in together is one of the most fulfilling and exciting experiences of your life. Sharing a space with the person that you care about and love the most is something to be grateful for every day. Moving in with your partner or significant other isn’t always perfectly fun though; there is a lot of decision making and hardship that can go into the process. The good news is that if you approach this change with a warm heart, the right strategy, and a plan for making it work, you and your partner will be just fine.
Moving In Together Starts With A Plan, Here Are Four Questions To Ask Before You Move
Let’s take a look at some different scenarios in which you may be moving in with your significant other and some of the best ways to navigate the challenges that come with this new adventure in life.
1. How Are We Handling Budgeting and Finances?
One of the biggest ways that you can make sure that moving in with your significant other goes smoothly, is to make sure that you have a financial plan laid out for your new living situation. Whether you are moving in with them, they are moving in with you, or you are both finding a new place together, make sure to have the splitting of your living expenses and necessities settled and planned out before you move in. Having a framework for your finances, budgeting, rent and other expenses will make sure that money is not something that will come between you when you move in together.
If one of you is moving into one of your partner’s home, make sure that you have the expenses split evenly (or in another way that works for you). If you’re both looking for a new place, make sure that it’s within both of your budgets so that there isn’t any griping about overpaying or living in a place that is too dingy.
2. Where Do We Want To Live?
Let’s say that you’re looking for a new place with your partner. Where do you start looking when you are planning on getting a new place together?
The first thing you and your partner are probably looking for when moving into a new place is finding a spot that’s conveniently located near your work. Hopefully, you and your partner are working closely together – that will at least make it easier on narrowing down the areas that you want to move to.
Make sure is that you both agree on the area. Find a place that is enjoyable, comfortable and convenient for both you and your partner, and fits comfortably within your budgets. After you have it narrowed down to a few places you like the most, have a process of elimination to eliminate the places that aren’t up to par. This will help you decide more easily where you want to live.
3. Where Is Everything Going To Go?
This is one of the most important things you can decide on with your partner. What space are you each going to have in your new home and how are you going to decide on who takes what?
Deciding on space can be a difficult process, and everyone may have their own way of deciding on who gets what space and how much or how little of it they get. This might not necessarily be a fifty-fifty split. You may be making the decision based on the amount of furniture, clothes, electronics and other belongings each of you has. This can also be complicated with shared space like you have in your living room, kitchen or extra bedrooms. Regardless, the number one thing we recommend to help with moving in with your partner is to have a plan before you move in. The last thing that you want on moving day is a fight about who gets to put what stuff, where.
4. Where Are We Putting Your/My Furniture?
This can be another difficult topic that you should expect to broach when you are moving. If one of you has a lot of furniture and the other has very little, and would rather keep less, furniture might not be as much of a problem. It also might not be an issue at all if both of you are minimalists or the apartment comes fully furnished.
There is a likelihood though that both you and your partner have furniture you are each attached to and would like to bring with you to your new home. However, the reality is that you might not have the space for all of it. Figure out what you are going to be doing with your furniture beforehand so that you don’t have any arguments. You may even want to consider getting a storage space for the rest of your furniture.
Need Help Moving?
Planning a move soon? On The Go Moving & Storage is here to help make the process as smooth as possible for you. Feel free to contact us today.