Forget losing your first tooth or learning to ride a bike; moving in together is one of the most monumental events in any person’s life.
Combining two lives is beautiful until you realize how complicated it can be to fit your and your partner’s stuff into a new space.
The stress is enough to make you call a relationship coach when all you need is a plan and the phone number of a great moving company!
If you are ready to combine households and start a new life, here is a beginner’s guide to moving in with your significant other:
Moving in Together 101: A Couples Guide to Moving, Paying Bills, and Peacefully Combining Two Households
Maintaining open communication with the person you’re sharing space with is essential, which is why you need to decide who will be responsible for paying the bills and covering expenses in your new place.
This can be a tricky conversation, so deciding who will pay the electric bill and how you will split the mortgage or rent before moving day will prevent unnecessary conflicts.
Agree on household responsibilities by creating a chore chart or divide and conquer with a simple 50/50 split of all the cooking, cleaning, and other duties.
Hire Professional Movers to Save Money and Your Sanity
Whether moving to another state or across town, hiring a professional moving company to literally handle all the heavy lifting allows you the time and space to focus on your relationship.
It is vital to do your homework to find a reputable moving company.
Follow these simple tips to help you hire the perfect movers to relocate your separate households:
- Ask friends and family for recommendations. Seek advice from loved ones who have recently moved.
- Read online reviews. Check out several popular online rating websites, including Trustpilot, Angi, and Yelp.
- Watch out for common red flags. Be wary of working with moving companies with several bad reviews or movers who expect a full cash payment up-front.
Open Communication and a Storage Unit Are Key
Your new home has a finite amount of space, but you both have personal belongings that are too precious to part with.
Maintain the peace and prevent unnecessary clutter by storing seasonal decorations and clothing, books, appliances, furniture, documents and files in a self-storage unit.
A storage unit is an excellent investment during any relocation, especially if you are moving with children, are not on the same page about decorating, or if there is a gap between the end of your old lease and the start of your new rental agreement.
Create a Strong Foundation for Your New Life: Plan, Declutter, and Agree on Responsibilities
Decluttering before relocating to a new living space is vital to planning a successful relocation, especially if you want to save big on moving expenses.
In addition to selling or donating duplicate items, decluttering both of your households will help you avoid future stress.
The easiest way to organize the mess is to divide your and your partner’s belongings into three piles: keep, sell, and donate.
The rest can be thrown into the garbage or recycled.
Understand Your Relationship Dynamic and Financial Expectations
Both you and your partner bring your strengths and weaknesses into your shared home.
Maybe you are a whiz with finances, while your significant other can clean like a professional.
Talk seriously about daily routines, major life decisions, and how you will save for your future.
Create a Budget You Can Both Live With
A simple budget is one of the best tools you can have and is essential to avoid overspending and maintain your relationship or marriage.
Utilize online budgeting tools and create a budget that is not only fair but also manageable.
Remember, now that you are feeding, housing, and clothing two people, you may need to cancel online streaming services, cut back on dining out, and establish other healthy spending habits.
Celebrate Every Significant Milestone
Combining households can be a whirlwind of researching local movers, pricing storage spaces, and fighting about whose living room furniture to keep.
While you navigate this tricky life transition, remember to focus less on the conflict and more on the excitement of sharing your lives.
Celebrate the move with a nice dinner, or step away from the chaos with a weekend away!
Divide and Conquer: Plan Your Shared Space One Room at a Time
Cohabitating isn’t for the faint of heart, especially when you realize you must share your bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen with another person.
The best strategy is to unpack and decorate one room at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Start with the primary bathroom and kitchen, as these spaces you will use more often and need access to immediately after moving in.
When it comes to decorating, if you simply are not on the same page or don’t love your partner’s furniture and taste, the best strategy is often to sell your furniture and start from scratch!
Shopping for furniture is a great bonding moment and the perfect way to celebrate this new beginning!
Combine Households While Creating a Healthy Living Environment
If the stress of your impending relocation is starting to affect your relationship, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Get enough sleep, eat regularly, and most importantly, set time aside for romantic date nights.
Remember, long distance moving companies are the best source of information and assistance when in doubt, and working with a professional can help you save money and time.
Navigating Your Daily Routines in a Shared Space: Finding Common Ground During the Moving Process
It can take anywhere from several days to several months to completely move two households, depending on the number of movers and the distance you are relocating.
Make it a priority to maintain your daily routine and give your partner space.
For example, create a bathroom schedule to cut down on chaos first thing in the morning.
Determine who will make dinner each night of the week and agree on who will do the dishes and fold the laundry.
You will be amazed at how a little organization and a tidy schedule will bring peace to your shared household!
Enjoy Personal Growth in Your New Living Arrangement
Just because you’re sharing a house or apartment doesn’t mean you have to abandon your autonomy entirely.
Don’t lose focus on your personal growth, and of course, remember to make time for others in your life.
Catching a movie with your best friend or having dinner with your parents is an excellent distraction from the natural anxiety that comes with moving in together.
The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Moving Day
Moving day is fast approaching, and while you’ve enjoyed years of personal space, you are ready to start a new adventure with your significant other.
Let Eden’s Moving Services help you make this dream a reality!
With years of experience serving our outstanding customers throughout the entire Denver Metro area, we understand the unique challenges of combining two very different households.
Start by following these simple tips to help you expertly prepare for the moving trucks to arrive:
- Ensure both households are ready. Share the responsibilities of decluttering and packing up your and your significant other’s households.
- Move boxes to the front room. By moving all the boxes to the front of the house, you can save time and money on carrying fees.
- Coordinate with the moving team. Remain in constant contact with your movers or moving coordinator to make sure both your and your partner’s moves are quick and seamless.
Want to learn more? Check out these cross-country moving tips!
Let Eden’s Moving Services Take the Hassle Out of Combining Households
If you are ready to take the next step, but the anxiety of merging your and your partner’s lives and belongings keeps you from moving forward, let our team of expert movers and packers help you plan your dual-household relocation.
Contact us today to schedule free in-home estimates and to coordinate both moves.
We guarantee you will love our friendly service and be amazed at how inexpensive working with professional movers can be!
