9 Signs You're Ready to Move In Together

Moving in with your partner is pretty major. And that’s why it’s so important to only make the big move when you’re confident you can weather the good and the bad that comes with the (shared) territory.

Think you’re prepared to take the plunge? Look for these nine signs that you’re ready to move in together.

 

 

Photo by Adrienne Gunde on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly

 

1. You already have a drawer at his or her place… and it’s overflowing. Might as well move all your other stuff there, too, right?

 

2. You’re comfortable spending time apart. No matter how much you love spending time with your partner, everyone needs some alone time, and it’s harder to come by when you share a place. Make sure you two are able to get some me-time and are comfortable setting boundaries.

 

3. Your pets get along. They’ll have to live together, too! Have a trial sleepover to see how they get along, and once everybody's ready, try giving them some alone time.

 

4. You’ve talked about the future. While you definitely don’t need to be engaged or married to live together, talking about the future with your partner shouldn’t make either one of you squeamish. After all, you’re locked in for the length of your lease, at the very least! It’s good to discuss if you want to eventually tie the knot, how long you want to live in the same place, and other somewhat long-term plans.

 

5. You know how to fight fair. Every couple quarrels from time to time, and when you live in close quarters, it may happen a little more frequently. Make sure you know how to fight fair so that you don’t mind eating breakfast with your “enemy” the next morning.

 

6. You have separate friends and hobbies. Because you’re going to want to get away and vent about your new roommate at some point.

 

7. Your financials are out in the open. It’s not romantic, but it’s a fact that moving in together means handling at least some finances together. Secrets are not an option when you have to pay for food, furniture, utilities and rent. You should both be honest about expenses, debt, loans and spending habits so you’re both on the same page.

 

8. Your partner loves the chores you hate. You can’t stand vacuuming, but she doesn’t mind? Clearly you were made to live together! We’re mostly kidding, but you should have an idea of how you’ll divvy up chores. If you make dinner together and both help do the dishes, you’ve got a keeper.

 

9. The whole bathroom thing isn’t awkward. Yeah, we said it. You shouldn’t feel weird doing your bathroom business with your partner in the next room. If you do, it’s going to be a pretty uncomfortable living situation. Hey, it's the truth!

 

The most important piece of advice is to trust your gut. There’s no hard-and-fast rules that dictate when you’re ready to share a space. It comes down to how you feel and what you want.