Things to Know Before Moving in With Your Significant Other

Are you thinking about taking the next step in your relationship and moving in with a significant other? Sharing a new space with the person you love is a big change. Before making the move, there are a few things every couple should know. Our storage experts here at Stor-It cover them all in this article. Below, we discuss must-knows and provide suggestions for those inevitable logistical challenges that await all significant others who have made the choice to live together.

Communication is Crucial

Before all else, it is important to establish open avenues of communication with your significant other. Without communication, moving in with one another can quickly turn into a nightmare of unmet expectations and dissatisfied parties. In the area of simple, space-related logistics, it’s important to communicate your initial expectations with your significant other and listen to his or hers. Sit down and have a talk (or two, or three) about how you envision the living arrangement to go. Don’t be shy about sharing your tendencies and preferences, and listen intently when your significant other shares his or hers — they may tell you something vital you didn’t already know.  By communicating before moving in, you can share your expectations and learn more about what living with your significant other may be like. This will make things easier once move-in begins.

Money-Savings Varies

Many couples move in to save money. The principle is simple: with two people paying for one space, the cost of living is, in theory, considerably less steep. However, money-savings is really determined by the size of the space, the amount of utilities used, and a host of other expenses that may crop up during the living arrangement. To understand just how much money you’ll be spending (and possibly saving), it’s important to find a property within your and your significant other’s budget. From there, build a plan for splitting utilities and other expenses. You may also want to draft up a cohabitation agreement: a legal document which provides both partners with protection in the event of an accident or break-up. Pay attention to your significant other’s spending habits — they may necessitate an extra conversation before you two starting living and pooling funds for common use together.

Location Matters

Location, location, location. It’s a favorite saying in the real estate industry. But what does it mean for couples looking to move in together? Put simply, the saying has double the significance, since there are two people’s locational preferences to consider. Each significant other has several factors to weigh when it comes to where you want to live. Among these are housing style, proximity to work, city/neighborhood characteristics, and climate. When choosing a location that works for both of you, compromise is bound to be a big part of the equation. Talking it out before settling on a location will minimize resentment, discomfort and other difficulties going forward.

Space Changes

When you move in with your significant other, the way you use space changes in an instant. Where you may once have had an entire space to yourself — or split with independent housemates — you now have a true shared space. You share your kitchen. You may share your bathroom. You share your bedroom. You even share your bed. Though sharing every square inch of your space with someone you love can be quite comforting, it can also lead to oversaturation. When everything is shared, it can be difficult to find space for yourself.

To remedy the space issue, we recommend carving out a small section of your new space to have some alone time. In most cases, this won’t be an entire room. It will often be a desk, a comfy chair, or even a section of the garage. Before moving in, we highly recommend downsizing to avoid cluttering your space with alike items you and your significant other both have. If you have a large number of items you don’t want to donate, we recommend investing in self-storage in your area to hang on to those items without having them take up space in your new home. With self-storage, you can free up space and still have easy access to your possessions.

Planning is Priceless

Moving is a big deal, no matter what. When you add in the factor of two people living together for the very first time, moving becomes an even bigger deal. In the case of significant others, so much can go wrong without proper planning. With proper planning, the exact opposite is true. To ensure that everything goes right when you move in together, it’s important to plan as much as possible. Review the sections above to get a better idea about to factor into your plans. Divvy up household responsibilities, prepare for each other’s schedules, and maybe even consider making a break-up plan. You never know what the future might hold, so it’s always a good idea to plan responsibly.

Learn More and Reserve Your Idaho Self Storage Unit With Us

Moving in with a significant other? Want to learn more about how to use your space more efficiently? Our storage experts at Stor-It are here to help. Contact us for more information on space usage, storage, and packing. Explore our website to learn more about our high-quality Idaho self-storage units in the Treasure Valley and beyond. Reach out and reserve your unit with us today!