One of the biggest steps in a relationship is deciding to move in together, and studies have found that a higher percentage of unmarried couples are choosing to make this leap than ever before. No matter how long you’ve been together as a couple, sharing a home with your significant other for the first time can be a daunting undertaking. Compass Self Storage is here to provide you with some tips to consider before making the big move, so your transition can be as seamless as possible.
Ask Questions First
Good communication is an important foundational piece of any healthy relationship, and before moving in together it is always important to have an honest conversation with your partner. Make sure that you both are on the same page by voicing any concerns you may have about the process, and working through them together.
Respecting and upholding personal boundaries are crucial for navigating through any major relationship milestone. Officially moving in with your partner offers a dramatically different experience than living on your own, so it is important to make sure that you are both ready before finalizing the commitment.
Signs You’re Ready to Move In Together
Not quite sure if you and your partner are ready to move in together? Here is a list of things to consider, both on your own and with your significant other, before taking the plunge:
- Do you know why you are doing it? Aside from any logical reasons for moving in together, what are your emotional motivations?
- Have you had a talk about your future together? Knowing where you and your partner see this step leading to is important. You don’t have to be on the same page as each other, but you at least need to know what page they are on and what they expect moving forward.
- Do you know your space needs? Are you somebody that needs their own space to work or play, or are you always happy to share? Do you like changing up your space frequently? These are important things for you to know about yourself and your partner.
- Are you alright with a loss of independence? While living with the right person can be an amazing experience, no matter what you are ultimately losing out on some of the freedom that you had before.
- Have you discussed finances? Talking about money is never an easy thing to do, but it is necessary when moving in together. You are entering into a legally-binding financial partnership with this person, and transparency with your money situation is critical.
- Do you know each other’s boundaries? Do you know your partner’s living habits, and do they coincide with your own? This could be anything from how quickly they clear out the dirty dishes in the sink to whether they fill up the water filter in the refrigerator when it gets low.
- What is your gut telling you? Trust your intuition, even if you do not like what it has to say. If deep down you know that moving in together is a bad idea, listen to yourself.
Where Should You Live?
After you decide to move in together, the next question you need to answer is also the biggest: where do you want to live? If you are staying in the same city, it could be tempting to move into your partner’s current housing, or vice versa. There are potential financial benefits to this choice, especially if there is an existing mortgage or lease tying you to a place long-term. There is a level of comfort in sticking with a place you know, and it could make the moving process less stressful for both of you.
However, moving into a new, neutral space could be a good idea instead of trying to cram two lives into one person’s current home. This allows you both to have an equal say in where and how you live together, and one person isn’t saddled with moving all of their belongings and finding a way to make it coincide with their partner’s pre-existing layout. It offers a clean slate for both parties as you begin your life together!
Room to Grow
Another aspect to consider when moving in with your partner is how much you anticipate your household to grow while you are living in your home. Whether you plan on adopting a pet, having children, or already have both in the mix, you need to make sure that you have enough space and the proper amenities for them in your new living situation.
Give It a Test Run
Sometimes it’s good to get your feet wet before diving into something head-first. Consider doing a “trial run” before making the move official by staying together for a couple weeks in one of your current homes. This will give you both a taste of what it is like to live together and allows you to see how well you and your partner’s living habits mesh. That way, you can work out any issues prior to a lease being signed. You may also discover that the timing is not right for moving in together. If that’s the case, you’ll be glad you didn’t commit long-term resources, and you’ll know what steps you should take to get to that point.
What To Do With Duplicate Items
When two households are combined for the first time, there’s a good chance you will have duplicates of many items. If you and your partner have lived on your own before you both may have common household essentials such as pots and pans, kitchen appliances, and furniture. Talk with your partner to figure out what you have space for and which set of duplicated items you want to use, and the rest can either be sold or put in a storage unit.
Duplicate items are a quick way to clutter up your home, so getting them out of the way and safely placed in a storage unit near you is a great way to avoid additional stress as you transition into living with your partner.
How to Best Make Use of Your Belongings
Combining your belongings with someone else’s can be a tricky process. You are combining two lives in one space together, and both parties will have unique belongings that are important to them. Whether it’s the old kitten-themed clock from your childhood or their extensive coin collection, both should have a place in your home together!
Work with your partner to figure out how you want to style and fill your space. Both sides will have preferences, and it is important that all voices are equally heard. Finding a way to make both partners have their favorite belongings included is critical in making sure that everyone feels included in the design of their own home, so here are some tips on how to make that happen:
- Take inventory: Creating a list of what belongings and decorations you and your partner have, and which of those are most important for each of you to display, is a great place to start in this process.
- Use your space: Figuring out how much room you have in your home allows you to use it to its fullest potential. You can decide how much you want to fill that space together after you know your limitations.
- Compromise: Every decision about how you create a space with your partner will not be unanimous, and that is perfectly normal. Coming to a compromise on where items will go is necessary, especially in common areas primarily shared by both partners.
- Take a break: Moving in together can be a stressful process, even if you are both very excited about it. If tensions get high, don’t be afraid to take a step back and pause the move for a little bit. Getting out of the house and doing a soft reset can be very helpful.
For a Smooth Transition, Find a Storage Solution
Moving into a new home is always a big process, and Compass Self Storage wants to help make your transition as seamless as possible. Whether you need a convenient place to store your extra belongings or are looking for packing supplies to begin hauling your stuff across town, we have you covered. Find a nearby Compass Self Storage facility today!
