Moving in together, or cohabiting, with your significant other is an exciting time, but there are a few things to discuss with your partner before making the decision to move in together. Listed below are a few questions you should discuss with your partner before making that next big step.
Who’s name is going on the lease?
What is most important to you when looking for a place to live? Is it the location? Proximity to your work or your partner’s work? How big does your apartment have to be? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Would you prefer to live on the bottom floor or a top floor? Be sure to speak with your significant other before looking at listings and talking to a leasing consultant. It is also important to discuss who’s name will be on the lease. Maybe both partners will put their name on the lease or maybe it’s best if there is only one name. *Most luxury apartments like Sugarloaf Apartments require that all adults’ names must be approved.
How will we be paying rent/bills?
It’s important to talk about spending before moving in together. Decide whether you will have a joint account for house expenses/bills or who is responsible for what. For example, if one person pays rent then maybe the other can pay electric, water, and wifi. Many future arguments can be avoided if these types of conversations happen before the big move. Is either person in debt and if so is it very much? Where will most of your income go towards?
Who’s in charge of pet expenses?
Do you have a pet already or are you thinking about getting one soon? Who is going to be the one to take the dog on walks through the courtyard? Who in the relationship will pay for pet food and vet bills? It might be best for both of you to split these expenses if it’s affordable, especially if the pet is bought between both partners.
Who’s responsible for what house duties?
Maybe you like to do laundry and your partner likes to do dishes, well that’s great. When it comes to chores around the house it’s easiest to split them up instead of one person doing all the cleaning and tidying up. Will you split house chores up 50/50 or will you take turns each time doing something other than what you did last week? Between the two, who would rather cook dinner and who would rather do dishes? Who in the relationship is the clean one and which one is the messy slob? If you are very adamant on how things get done then maybe your one important duty is that specific item such as a clean kitchen over a messy closet. As long as the housework is divided up, the workload shouldn’t feel too heavy.
How will we sleep?
Are you a night owl or an early riser? Do you sleep with the tv on or maybe the ceiling fan on? Does your partner snore or sleepwalk? These are all really good questions to ask your partner before moving in together so you can figure out each other’s sleep schedules and the best way for you and your partner to get enough sleep every night.
There are many other questions other than these to ask before taking the next step but these few are a great place to start. Don’t be afraid to talk about other things that are important to you such as religion and past relationships.