Are you considering moving in with your significant other?    It’s an exciting proposition, but here are some things you may want to consider first.

Money.  Is your boyfriend/girlfriend financially stable enough to depend upon?  You may not be joining bank accounts yet, but any debts or money issues your partner has will definitely affect you.  And if you’re signing a lease together, you’ll need to know that you won’t be left holding the bag, paying all of the rent.

Lifestyle.  Your girlfriend’s propensity to leave her socks on her kitchen table might be cute when it’s her kitchen table, but when it’s yours, you might find it a little more irksome.  Is he a night owl while you’re an early-bird?  These things may not have the power to make or break your relationship, but they can definitely put a strain on it and should be considered before you make the move.

Problems in your relationship.   Any difficulties you have in your relationship will not be helped by moving in together.  Living in close proximity to someone 24 hours a day will only intensify any issues that are already there.  Be sure you are aware of what those are, talk through them and try to come up with solutions before you move in together.

Dealing with disapproval.   Although living together without being married is more common than it used to be, there are still plenty of people out there who will meet your decision with disapproval.  You can remain quiet when they say something disapproving, or reply with something like, “I appreciate your opinion, but this is the decision that is best for us.”  Ultimately, it is your life and your decision to make.

Division of labour.  Sometimes the division of labour in a new living arrangement happens organically, but other times, you may need to sit down and have a discussion about who will be in charge of doing what.  You may be irritated that your boyfriend hasn’t taken out the trash in three days, but he may have honestly thought that you were going to do it.  As in all things, communication is key.

Merging households can be fun, challenging, and has the possibility of strengthening your relationship like nothing else has.  As long as you meet the opportunity with your eyes wide open, you’re willing to communicate honestly and openly, and secure enough with yourself to meet any opposition head-on, you will have a great time.