Feature Image by Haley Powers
Do you and your significant other spend so much time together it seems pointless to live separately and pay your own rent? Or have you and your S.O. been toying with the idea of tying the knot and want to see if you can first make a house a home?
Whatever your reason may be for wanting to move in with your S.O., here are five things to keep in mind before you start signing leases and copying keys.
Decide why you want to live together
Is your decision to move in together the “next step” or a “necessary step?” Whether you and your partner are headed towards the engagement ring store or you’re just looking to save money on rent, there isn’t a right or wrong reason when it comes to making the leap. However, to make the move more manageable, you and your S.O. should discuss your expectations and reasons for cohabitation up front. Being open and honest with each other can keep things from getting ugly and messy a year or two down the line — you don’t want to find out you’ve been looking forward to marriage, but your partner wasn’t!
You still have to “woo” each other
Just because you see each other every day in the kitchen before and after work doesn’t mean you’re spending quality time together. When you share close quarters, you’ll be seeing each other more often, but it’s different from going on actual dates. Take turns picking new date spots or just go for a walk around the block. This will help keep the romance alive without feeling like you’re just living with a roommate.
Discuss deal breakers
Everyone needs their own time and personal space. When you and your S.O. sit down to talk about moving in together, be specific about what you need from them to not feel smothered. Whether it’s putting up a reading corner in your guest room or agreeing to spend certain nights with just friends, it’s important to discuss these things up front. It may or may not feel crowded when you first start sharing a space, but having a plan to deal with that can avoid bigger issues down the road.
Solidify money management strategies
Split up the tasks of paying bills and rent evenly. It doesn’t matter how you split the costs so much as to deciding who’s going to paying which bill and when. If you’re good with remembering when to pay bills, take on that responsibility and have your partner pay the rent once a month. The clear division of responsibilities will make it easier to keep things from slipping through the cracks.
Plan an exit strategy
Not every couple is meant to live together. Maybe the little things you thought would never bother you actually does, or maybe things were just better when you saw each other once or twice a week. Moving out doesn’t mean the relationship has to end, but having a plan makes it easier if that point ever comes. Discuss things like breaking your lease, certain things you want to keep, and things you can get rid of. It might sound counter-intuitive to talk about when you’re starting the move-in process, but it’ll help in the long run.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
