Moving in with your partner is quite a big deal and an important next step in your relationship and you're probably looking for some signs you're ready to move in together. It’s something you need to have thought about and discussed together before you rush into it. Once it's done, it is hard to separate the lease on your apartment and divide up your things. Not to mention the heartbreak you'll be suffering.
If you’re unsure about it, these signs you're ready to move in together might help you to establish if it’s the right time.
This one is very important – if you don’t feel comfortable with your partner seeing you at your worst first thing in the morning, or you feel like you modify your behaviour in any way when you’re around him, then perhaps you aren’t ready to move in together. If you can let it all hang out, that's one of the most obvious signs you're ready to move in together.
Yes, the practicalities are boring, but they’re also essential. Have you discussed budgets? How you’ll organise the bills? Which location will you choose? You need to establish all these things before getting carried away with the romance of it all.
Have you had the chance to see what it would be like living with each other 24/7? You could do this by going on holiday together or moving into either of your current places for a week or so just to see what it’s like. If you find you love it and there’s no issues, it could be a sign you’re ready to take the plunge.
When you move in with your partner, the ties you currently have with him are further increased – emotionally and practically. Obviously there’s no guarantees and relationships can fail, but you should be thinking about this being a long-term thing rather than something that could dissolve in a few months.
You need to be on the same wavelength when it comes to living together. You’ll have to agree on a place and have an idea of what your next steps will be after this. There will be differences in attitudes, but your core wants should be the same in order to make it work.
Sometimes you’ll just know. You’ll know that your partner makes you happy and that you’ll be able to make it work if you move in together because it’s something you both really want. If you really feel in your gut that it’s the right time, it probably is.
Moving in with your partner is incredibly exciting and there’s so much to look forward to, but my one piece of advice would be that before you get swept up in the aesthetics and the fun stuff, take a moment you stop and think about if you’re both 100% ready for this because above all, that is the most important thing.