A couple packing household items for long-distance moving overlay

Smart Tips for Moving in Together That Will Make Your Relocation Easier

Posted in Moving Tips & Tricks on January 16, 2023

Relocating to a new place can be stressful, especially if you’re making the jump with your significant other. We know how overwhelming this kind of move can be, which is why we’ve compiled a few smart tips for moving in together that will make your transition less chaotic. From budgeting for housing costs to creating pre-move checklists, let’s explore the different ways you and your partner can ensure that things go smoothly during an exciting time in your relationship.

Before You Start Learning All the Tips for Moving in Together, Make Sure You Are Ready for This Step

Moving in with your partner is a huge step and should not be taken lightly. Before you start organizing the packing of your belongings and learning all the relocation tips, make sure that you and your partner are both ready for this monumental decision. The key to an efficient move is communication, understanding, and compromise between both parties – and, of course, reliable cross-country moving services (which will, hopefully, include packing assistance) that will ensure your relocation stress levels are under control (yes, a stress-free move is possible!).

Ready to move with us? Get A Free Quote

Talking About Your Reasons

The first thing that you should do before relocating to a new city is to talk with your partner about why you want to move to a new home together. What are the reasons behind this decision? It’s important to discuss these reasons for relocating openly and honestly with each other so that you can understand where each of you stands on this issue.

Are both of you interested in taking the next step in your relationship? Or is one of you more eager than the other? Understanding these reasons will help ensure that both of you feel comfortable moving forward with this decision – only then should you start preparing to move in together and begin organizing your move.

A couple holding hands next to The Golden Gate Bridge after moving across the country
Are you both ready to start a life together in a new city or a new state?

Discuss the Future and Make Sure You’re Both on the Same Page

Before relocating for love, discussing your future plans gives both partners an opportunity to make sure that their goals are aligned before making the commitment. If one partner has different ideas about a career path or family planning than the other, it’s better to bring that up now rather than later when things may become more complicated.

By having this discussion with your partner early on, you can work through misunderstandings now rather than letting them fester until they become larger problems later on when you’ve already rented an apartment and moved. Here are the crucial points you should have in mind during this conversation:

  • Do you have similar career ambitions?
  • Do you plan on getting married?
  • Are you both interested in having children someday?
  • Do you envision living in the same city or town for years to come?

Have a Trial Period Before Making Final Decisions About Moving Across the Country to Live Together

It can be difficult to know exactly how someone will act when they live with you until they actually do it. If possible, try living together for at least three months before planning to move to another city together. This way, both of you gain an understanding of each other’s habits and expectations when it comes to cohabitation.

During this trial period, take note of things like tidiness levels, communication styles, respect boundaries, and sleeping habits. After all, living with someone is much different than dating them! If there are any major issues during this trial period, then it might be wise to reconsider your relationship altogether and keep living on your own.

A couple hugging after long-distance moving
The trial period can show you if this decision is right and prepare you for future

Take Your Time to Decide on a New Place – You Want to Find a Home That Has Everything You Need

Discuss a suitable house size before you begin looking for your nest. Do you both wish to downsize for the move and begin saving dollars for the future, or is the plan to get a big house? You may determine how big of a home you want by asking yourself the following questions, which can help you avoid some frequent moving mistakes.

What number of rooms do you need?

You’ll likely require more space in addition to the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. If you and your sweetheart are thinking about getting married and starting a family in the future, these spare rooms can save you from worry when this joyous event occurs. They can also be utilized as storage spaces or guest rooms.

Do you currently own pets, or you'd like to?

Many households regard pets as full family members. For this reason, before relocating to a new state or city, all pet owners should consider the living conditions of their animals. Find out what your partner thinks about having a pet in the house before moving with your dog or cat. The same holds true if you don’t currently have a pet but would like to get one in the future.

Do you intend to host visitors in your cozy abode?

It is crucial to be upfront about this, mainly because you will need to determine whether you can afford an additional room when looking for an apartment. If this is not the reality and you nonetheless want to host visitors, calculate how much it will cost to purchase an additional mattress for when visitors stay the night.

Do you require storage?

How much more furniture you plan to bring into your new apartment will determine this. Do you have any excess packed dishes or other items that aren’t necessary but that you don’t want to throw away? If so, you might want to consider getting storage space from your relocation company.

Talk About Money and Prepare a Relocation Budget

Having an open conversation about money before it’s time to move can help ensure that both parties understand their respective roles when it comes to financing the move. Taking the time now to create a detailed relocation budget is of utmost importance – relocation expenses can quickly get out of hand, so you need to keep track of your spending and have a set limit. You should also talk about choosing a moving company and discuss if you’re okay with the prices of their services. Remember that no decent movers come cheap, and keep your eyes wide open for any relocation scams!

While You’re at It, Discuss What Your Monthly Budget Will Be and How You Will Share Expenses

When having a discussion about money, it’s important that both parties set financial goals. Think about what milestones you want to reach over the next few years and use these goals to guide your financial decisions. This could include saving for retirement, paying off student loans, or investing in real estate. Once you’ve established these goals, then you can start talking about how much money each person needs each month to achieve them.

Once you know what your financial goals are, it’s time to talk about which expenses can be shared and which expenses should remain separate. It’s important to remember that not all couples divide their expenses evenly – sometimes, one partner may make significantly more than the other and thus contribute a larger proportion of their income towards shared expenses such as rent or utilities. It’s also important to decide how you will share expenses for items such as groceries or entertainment costs.

A piggy bank on top of some boxes
Money talk is no fun, but it's essential before you move in with someone

Think About What Belongings You Will Bring Into the New Home

Before you start packing for the move, you’ll have to decide which belongings you’ll pack – the chances are that you have two sets of furniture, kitchenware, and other household goods. Ask yourself what items have sentimental value, what furnishings are necessary for day-to-day living, and what objects will add to the overall aesthetic of your new home. Once you’ve identified these items, make sure they make the cut first before making decisions on any other items.

Decluttering Will Be an Essential Part of the Relocation Process

When it comes to items that don’t quite fit into your priorities, consider giving them away or selling them online or at a garage sale. This is also a great way to make some extra cash before making the big move! Donating items is always an option as well if you would rather not be bothered with selling them yourself. Doing this ahead of time can save you a lot of hassle and headache when it comes time to actually pack up and move out of your current residence.

A pile of labeled boxes ready to be loaded for long-distance moving
What to pack? Declutter before you start packing boxes

Relationships Take Work – Do Your Best to Keep the Spark Alive After Moving Cross Country

Moving in together is a huge step forward in any relationship, but it can also be stressful if not managed properly. To keep the spark alive after relocating with your partner, make sure to follow the tips we’ll mention below, and above all else, remember why you decided to move in with each other in the first place! With these tips as a guideline, we’re certain your relationship will remain strong despite all the changes!

Make Time for Each Other

One of the best ways to keep your relationship strong after moving in together is by making time for each other. This means setting aside quality time just for the two of you, away from work, friends, and family. During this time, talk about anything and everything – and don’t forget to listen to each other! It’s important to stay connected and make sure that neither one of you feels neglected or taken for granted.

Be Open and Honest

Openness is key when it comes to relationships, especially after a move. Talk openly with each other about your feelings, concerns, and hopes for the future. Being honest will help both of you feel more secure with each other and make it easier to resolve any disagreements that come up during your transition into living together.

Practice Patience

Moving in together isn’t always easy – there will be times when you disagree or misunderstand each other. When this happens, practice patience – try not to get angry or defensive about things. Instead, take a few deep breaths before responding so that you can think clearly about what’s being said before reacting impulsively. This will help create an atmosphere where both of you feel safe expressing yourselves without fear of judgment or criticism and keep your relationship healthy. For more tips on healthy relationships, check out the video below.

Long-Distance Moving Might Not Be Easy, But It Will Go Smoothly if You Hire Cross-Country Movers

Long-distance moves are difficult because they are expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. But there is a way to make the process much easier. Here’s our last moving-in-together advice – hire long-distance movers who know what they’re doing. With experienced professionals by your side, you can relax and focus on other aspects of your move. And if you’re still not convinced that hiring movers is the way to go, consider this – it’s cheaper and less stressful than renting a truck, driving across the country, and then dealing with all the unpacking. So save yourself some time and money, and find great long-distance movers today!

Hannah Michaelson

Hannah is a freelance relocation writer from NYC that has become an expert on packing and unpacking.

    Choose locations, date and size.
    Tell Us About Yourself

      Choose locations, date and size.
      Tell Us About Yourself
      Need to move your car/automobile?
      Get a Free Estimate 800-611-0502