Moving in together is exciting and scary simultaneously. You are probably asking yourself a hundred questions: How do you know when it’s right to move in together? What if it turns out to be a bad decision? Do relationships change when you move in together? First off, take a deep breath. Truth be told, you can’t be sure what the future holds. However, here are some telltale signs that show your relationship is on the right path.
What to Know Before Moving in Together?
If you are considering living under the same roof with your boo, you might be a bit all over the place. And it’s no wonder – while living together is an exciting milestone, it’s simultaneously a big change. So if your mind is racing all over the place, be sure that it’s a completely normal thing. However, if you are interested in what to do before you move in with a loved one and what to communicate about with your significant other to reduce anxiety, we got you. There are always indicators that show you are about to make the right choice, so we’ve listed all of them up.
#1 You’ve Been Together for a While Now
There’s no right or wrong time that can guarantee your living decision will be a success. As they say, nothing is set in stone. However, the longer you’ve been with someone, the better you can know where your weaknesses and strengths as a couple are. In the beginning stages of a relationship, people tend to put their rose-colored glasses on and become blind to the color red (as in, the color of red flags). That can cause problems when starting a life together. However, you don’t have to be together for years to move in. Just make sure you are feeling comfortable and stable in your partnership.
When Is It Time to Move In Together?
So, it seems that you’re not buying our ”no right or wrong answer”, and want to know precisely how long should you wait to move in together? Is 6 months too soon to move in together? Is 3 years too late? Well, statistics show that around 45% of couples wait at least a year before changing their address, and once they’ve passed the second year mark, around 70% of them will move in. However, what’s more important than how long you’ve been together is your preparedness to talk about it and listen to your partner.
#2 You Know How to Have Difficult Conversations
That being said, you must know how to talk to your partner, especially when you are going through a rough patch. No two people can agree on everything or always be understanding of the other person. That’s why it’s important to be able to voice your needs and boundaries with your significant other without constraints. Before you decide you are the couple moving in together, ensure your relationship is a healthy, safe space.
You Can Disagree With Your Partner Without Starting a Yelling Contest
Make sure both you and your partner have the patience and empathy for the other one, even and especially when you don’t see eye to eye. There’s no way the two of you will always be in harmony. In every relationship, disagreements and fights are bound to happen, even if it’s once in a blue moon. However, you want to ensure that such arguments that are bound to arise don’t leave you empty and tired but with a feeling you’ve just had a productive encounter. In case you aren’t sure how to approach difficult conversations but would like to work on it, check out the following video:
#3 You Want to Make an Effort Even When Things Gets Tough
A relationship is no walk in the park, especially when there’s an entire move to a Chicago suburb with your partner ahead of you. Relocation stress will arise, and you have to know there will be challenges. What matters is that you’ve decided that they are worth your effort and that you have a plan on how to deal with possible problems.
You Actually Feel Like You and Your Boo Are Partners Even on the Bad Days
That being said, you want to know that although you and your bae might be in a serious fight, or can’t stop bickering, that you still have each other’s backs. Knowing that someone is committed to you, even if you are getting on their nerves, is an important part of a partnership. And when you choose to share a home with someone, you are starting a life journey together. Ensure both parties involved are 100% invested when that happens.
#4 You Are Already Spending a Lot of Time Together
Both of you must put in the effort to spend quality time together. If you already can’t imagine a day without them, it’s a key sign you want the other person in your life. It is also a good clue that shows that you will enjoy everything that happens after you move.
With all the move-out cleaning, packing, and relocating, you might not have a clear picture of the life that awaits you in the safe Chicago neighborhood you are relocating to. However, living with your significant other doesn’t mean you have to stay at home all the time. You’ll still need to plan to have quality dates together. That means that if you are already doing that now, the chances are it won’t become a problem later on.
You’ve Met Each Other’s Family and Friends
A compatible partner doesn’t have to be an ideal one, but their family and friends can tell you a lot about the person you are dating. So, if you are already invested in each other’s lives, and more so, like hanging out with each other’s family and friends, it indeed is a good sign you are a compatible couple. It also means you will be able to enjoy hanging out together with a variety of friends on dinner dates in your new home in one of the best Chicago neighborhoods.
#5 You Are Comfortable Talking About Expenses
Before you say ”I think we should move in together”, there are some other conversations that should be on your to-do list – one of them being money. Starting with a relocation expenses checklist and talks about employing one of Chicago moving companies, cash will be an ongoing topic if you plan to move in with someone. So before you throw a going-away party, ensure you are comfortable with exploring sensitive topics like finances with your boo.
Financial Plans and Circumstances Are Among the Most Important Things to Discuss Before Moving in Together
Not everyone is comfortable with talking about money, but if you want to share an apartment, you should be ready to be transparent about this topic – it shouldn’t be something to forget about when you move. Here are the crucial topics we recommend you go through with your significant other before you finalize the deal:
- Decide on a rent maximum and how you’ll split it – Before you start packing furniture, you should have a rent budget determined. More importantly, decide how to split it before relocating and ensure both parties are okay with the decision.
- Have a plan for splitting utility bills – People go differently about sharing their rent and bills, so all you have to do is negotiate with your boo what works for you best. Maybe you decide to split each bill or take charge of different utilities. Still, do this before you unpack your things, and it’s too late to have a calm conversation.
- Know each other’s credit scores and debt situation – Your credit score can severely impact your goals and aspirations. So, it’s important to be aware of each other’s financial possibilities and setbacks so you can work as a couple on overcoming them.
#6 You Have Compatible Ideas About the Future
In this day and age, it can be hard to conceive and plan a future. However, it’s important to share your general views and aspirations of how you would like your lives to unfold. While you don’t have to have the same goals, they should be compatible. At least, the two of you should be excited to support each other in your achievements. That being said, one of the many benefits of relocating with your boyfriend or girlfriend is that you are about to have your best friend cheering you on at all times – you just got to be clear about the directions the cheers should go in.
The Only Way Your Relationship Will Stand the Test of Time Is if You Are on the Same Page About Important Questions
No one can guarantee your relationship will stand the test of time, whatever you do. But, some make-or-break topics can tell you whether you’ll make it to the second lease. Here are just some of the crucial topics you should have in mind when wondering what to discuss before moving in together:
- Your future home – Do you have the same taste when it comes to your living space? Do you wish to rent or buy a house in a few years? Is an affordable Chicago neighborhood apartment fine, or do you strive to live in one of the best neighborhoods in Chicago for families?
- Having pets – If you aren’t already relocating with a pet, and animals are important to you or your significant other, you should have a conversation regarding the possibility of adopting a pet sooner or later.
- Thoughts on marriage – A lot of people have expectations they take for granted, while the reality is that someone might not share their beliefs and goals. Ensure you and your boo are both on the same page when it comes to opinions about marriage.
- Aspirations surrounding children – Some people might want children, and others don’t. While you might not personally care about your friend’s aspirations, when it comes to a person you are in a relationship with, this is an important topic to cover.
#7 You Don’t Feel Like You’re Rushing in or Being Pressured
Big decisions shouldn’t be made under pressure or on a short time notice. And you shouldn’t move in with someone on account of how long you’ve been together or because it financially makes sense to do so. Just because something makes sense in the eyes of others doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to. So avoid packing to move in a hurry, and talk about your reasons to move in thoroughly.
Before Moving Into a New Place, Take a Holiday Together
If you are still not certain it is a good idea to hire a mover in Chicago, IL with your partner, do a trial run before you officially change your address. You can do this by taking a holiday together, or by trying out living together for a few weeks or a month. That way, you’ll have an idea of how compatible you are before you start packing pots and pans, and it’s too late to go back.
When It Comes to Couples Moving in Together, There’s No Better Help Than That of Chicago Movers
If you’re looking for a practical answer to the question of how to move in together, look no further. There’s only one way to actually move efficiently, and it couldn’t be more hands-on: just hire professional movers in Chicago. And we have the best movers and packers in Chicago for the job to ensure you not only avoid relocation scams but actually get the best possible moving services in Chicago.
Out of all the moving companies in Chicago, IL, with us, you will be in the safest hands. Our local movers in Chicago have perfected their residential relocation services, and not to mention the commercial relocation assistance. And in case you need the best movers in Chicago to provide you with labor relocation services, you can count on us too. There’s nothing our employees and our moving company in Chicago can’t do! So, contact us today and get your free quote, as well as answers to your questions. We are waiting for your call.