Moving in with your partner
Moving in with your partner is a big step in any relationship. From the moment you decide to start living together to the first morning you wake up together after moving in together can be an exciting time for everyone involved. It is also a big decision that requires careful planning. But what do you need to consider before making the decision and when is it appropriate to take the step? Here are some of the things you should discuss before you start living together and we've also put together a list of practical tips to make the move smoother for both of you.
Why do people choose to move in together?
There are many reasons why people choose to move in with their boyfriend, girlfriend or partner. For many, cohabitation is a natural next step in a relationship that feels good. For others, the decision may be based on financial or logistical reasons. Regardless of why you decide to move in together, it is extremely important that you discuss things openly and honestly before making an official decision.
When should you move in together?
Exactly when in a relationship you should move in together is very different for everyone. Your own and your partner's personality, career and life situation are all factors that play a role in the big decision to move in together. Some couples decide to move in together as soon as they get to know each other. Others live apart for several years before taking the plunge into cohabitation.
Some people move in together at the same time as other couples in their circle of friends and others move in together when it is the best financial and logistical decision for both. So the best time to move in together is very individual and best discussed with your partner.
What should you consider when moving in together?
A couple of topics you should discuss well in advance are how to manage the division of expenses when living together. Rent, electricity, food and various subscriptions are expenses that many couples choose to share the cost of. But you may have special circumstances that require you to discuss who should pay for what. This is something that can make things complicated when you have already moved in together, if you haven't discussed it beforehand. So make sure you're on the same page long before you go shopping for moving boxes.
Even practical things like how often you should clean, how to decorateWho will do the shopping or cooking is a good idea to discuss before the move. You probably know each other well enough to know if one of you is a stickler for cleanliness at home or if the other has special eating habits. If you both know what the rules are, the first few months in the same home can be much smoother.
But things naturally change over time when you live together, especially if there are more people in the household. Many of the things you agree on may change over time, but it's usually easier to have a common ground than to take things as they come at the beginning of a cohabitation.
Moving in with your partner or finding new accommodation together?
Another important factor when moving in together is where you will live. Does one of you have a large apartment in a great location that you will enjoy, or is it better to get a new home together? Details like how much living space you need, proximity to work and whether you like the area you live in can play a big role in deciding where to live.
Think about how much space you need to accommodate both of your furniture and belongings so you know whether you can move into one of your existing apartments or whether you need to look for new accommodation. If you need to find a larger apartment, you can look at available apartments at Slättö.
Notification of move, rental contract and insurance
Your landlord needs to be notified when a new person moves into an existing apartment. You will also need to register your move with the Swedish Tax Agency, unless you are moving in together temporarily. If you are moving to a new home together, you also need to discuss who will be on the rental contract. Remember that if one of you is going to keep your old apartment and sublet it, it is often not possible for that person to be on the new contract.
Home insurance also needs to be taken out if you move into a new home together. However, if you are moving into one of your existing apartments, you can simply contact the insurance company and inform them that there are more people in the household. In most cases, there is no need to contact the insurance company as it is sufficient to be registered at the same address to be covered by the same home insurance policy. But it doesn't hurt to send an email and ask to be sure.
Tips to make your move smoother
Once you have discussed the details and decided where you will live, it is time to plan the move. Moving together is almost exactly like moving alone, with one big difference. When you move on your own, all you have to do is plan a move from one home to another. But now two homes will become one, and if you have chosen to move to a new home, two moving vans will also be transported to your new home.
To make things as easy as possible and minimize stress on moving day, it's smart to plan your move as best you can. By organizing the whole process, everything goes much faster and smoother and you can focus on cooking your first dinner together as roommates instead of panicking about the mobile phone charger that is in one of 37 boxes.
Label all the boxes clearly so that you both know what goes where. This makes unpacking easier, but it also ensures that the boxes end up in the right room from the start. Also label all sides of boxes containing fragile items so that the person carrying the box is extra careful. Fragile items are particularly important to pack carefully and correctly. Other things to consider during the move are:
- Buy plenty of boxes, tape and bubble wrap before moving day.
- Ask friends or family to help make the move as smooth as possible.
- Book a bigger van rather than making more trips to save lots of time.
- Pack a first-day box with items such as toilet paper, towels, chargers, glasses, cutlery, plates and anything else that will be needed while you unpack.
- Keep several bottles of water or other drinks in the moving van
- Pack boxes with heavy items mixed with lighter ones, such as books with clothes or pans with towels.
Things to think about after moving in together
After you have moved in together, it is important to continue open communication with your partner. It is normal that you will need to make some adjustments as you get used to living together, so be patient and understanding. Listen to each other's needs rather than trying to impose your own views and your new cohabitation will organically improve.