One of the major relationship milestones that couples inevitably face is taking the leap into co-habitation. In order to prepare for this landmark, FlatRate Moving has prepared the below tips to provide for a smoother transition when moving in with a significant other.
Is your relationship on the other side of the spectrum, and you are now parting ways with a former beau/roommate? FlatRate also has tips for how to survive the dual break-up/move out scenario as well.
TOP 5 TIPS FOR MOVING IN WITH A SIGNIFICANT OTHER:
Pack and Plan Appropriately – Before the big move, make sure to pack appropriately. Go through the items you have and decide what you can part with and what you need to invest in. Most importantly, discuss the big items like furniture. Decide before you move in together whether or not you really need the second sofa. Be realistic about what you can and cannot leave behind. Take advantage of old furniture by turning it into a profit and selling it via Craigslist.
Discuss Finances – Sit down and figure out who will pay for what. Are you going to combine bank accounts? Whose name will the utilities be in? Figuring out these details prior to the move will make the big move in day and subsequent transition easier.
Divide Responsibilities – Like any roommate you may have had in the past, this one is no different in terms of taking care of duties around the house. This includes cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, and a wide assortment of less-than-sexy tasks. Make sure you rotate and take turns in terms of who handles what, so one person isn’t stuck resenting the other. Turn cleaning time into quality time by setting aside a couple of hours on the weekend to get things done together.
Make Sure to Keep your Own Time and Space – Moving in with a significant other can become smothering if you don’t make time for yourself. Make sure to make and keep plans with friends and schedule activities and outings to keep your own individual life active. The same goes for within the apartment, keep certain space to yourself. Even when sharing a small studio, having a closest or designated area for your personal belongings will help maintain a certain level of independence.
Keep Things Exciting – When living with someone, it can take a certain level of excitement and mystery out of the relationship. Make a consistent effort to expand dates beyond the couch, and even designate certain date nights that involve an exciting night out on the town. Try new things, visit new places, take a class together. This will help your relationship to continue to evolve as you are challenging yourself and continuing to learn new things about each other.
….. AND 5 TIPS FOR MOVING OUT
Divide Mutual Items Peacefully – Over the course of your relationship and time as roommates, you likely compiled a lot of items that are mutually owned. Instead of consistently fighting over what belongs to who down to everything from the big furniture to a tiny dish, make a point of taking time to sit down one afternoon and figure out exactly what is shared and what is own. From there, try to peacefully divide the items, and if an agreement cannot be reached, sell the item and split the cash.
Figure Out Leasing Arrangements – Dealing with the lease, particularly if the relationship ends before the lease expires, can be one of the biggest hassles of all. Take care of this first and be sure to figure out who will stay and who will go, and if you both want out, immediately start posting on roommate boards and asking around for a subletter. And when all else fails, break the lease. The lease needs to end almost as soon as the relationship does.
Seal Up Any Finances – Since the relationship is coming to an end, it is best to discuss and figure any and all finances before parting ways for good. You don’t want to be chasing down an ex for money or being forced to stay in each other’s life because you didn’t square away finances from the get-go. Along with dividing stuff, this is one of the most important conversations to have. It might seem too difficult in light of emotions, but timing is crucial.
Rely on Your Network of Family and Friends – Breaking up can be especially difficult when your boyfriend/girlfriend was also a roommate. Now more than ever you need to rely on friends and family to help get you through difficult times. This might involve sleeping on someone’s couch or having your friends help you find a new roommate and new place. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Get Rid of Leftover Evidence – After dating someone for awhile, there is a lot that reminds you of the significant other and these memories multiply after living together. If you are staying in the old mutual place, redecorate and revamp to make the place brand new. If getting a new place, leave behind anything that reminds you of them and pick up a few new pieces to give your new place a personal touch.
Daily Venus Diva -- Daily Venus Diva.
one tip that people dont remember…never go in over your head. only commit to something that if your significant other or roommate cant pay rent for one month you can cover it.
my ex-fiance convinced me to go to a 3bdrm/3bath…when he got fired from his job i was blessed enough to be able to cover the finances but that soon came to an end….so from that point on i’ve adopted this way of thinking which worked when my next roommate moved out on me. by this time i was in a 2/2 and was paying for it before she moved in so when she moved out it didnt hurt me.