Moving in After Marriage Made Easy: 8 Points to Remember

From your proposal to your honeymoon, chances are the last few months or even years have been a whirlwind. When you and your partner are ready to move in together, remember the following tips and tricks for a smooth transition into your new home.

 

1. Set a Realistic Timeline

Give your relationship time to wind down from the thrill of getting married before planning your move. The best way to do this is to create a realistic timeline. It is easy to dream of what your house will look like, but remember — it doesn't magically happen. There are many details for you and your partner to discuss before your transition.

Sit down with your spouse and create a general outline detailing how long it will take to pack your belongings, leave or list your current living area, transport your things and any other essential details. Every couple is different, so account for any steps that could take time. This way, you have a realistic move-in date and can plan accordingly.

 

2. Decorate Spaces Together

Whether you've been maintaining a Pinterest page since your teenage years or are just beginning to look for inspiration, keep your partner's opinion in mind before decorating. Just like you, your spouse probably has ideas of how your home should look. If their ideas don't do it for you, have thoughtful discussions and focus on compromising during your decorating process. Ensure you both have a say by decorating together.

Start with the space you will spend the most equal time in — your bedroom. There are many ways to let your spouse make decorating decisions without turning your room into a man cave. To design a room you're both comfortable in, find a color palette you agree on. Using earth tones and accent hues can create a simple, natural look that is on the neutral side.

 

3. Devise a Mortgage Plan

Ensure you discuss "the real stuff" before purchasing a home. If you plan to buy new, having a mortgage plan should be at the top of your to-do list. This loan takes time to apply for and receive, so start early.

Next, decide whose name should go on the mortgage. Filing jointly can be beneficial but could lead to costlier terms if one spouse has low income and high debts. Generally, the best thing to do is to put the mortgage in the spouse's name with the better salary and lowest debt.

 

4. Plan Alone Time

Whether you need space or like to spend every waking moment with your partner, remember that alone time is crucial to a healthy relationship. Doing things together is great, but now that you will be living together, saving moments for self-care and peace is important.

You may already know when your spouse wants alone time, but if you don't — ask! Having open conversations about personal space can be beneficial. Is there a time of day you or your partner like to be alone? Should you give them space after a hard day? Answers to these questions are necessary to set appropriate boundaries and ensure relationship comfort and growth.

5. Divide Responsibilities

Regardless of who works more, has a higher-stress job or enjoys household chores, try to split responsibilities evenly. Discuss who does what or if you will do chores together, from taking out the trash to washing the dishes. No one wants sole responsibility for home functions, so divide tasks as evenly as possible.

Make a plan and stick to it by setting aside an hour or two to draft a physical list of chores, narrow them down and divide them accordingly. Things may not always be 50/50, but having a clear set of rules and expectations can ensure participation from each partner.

 

6. Create a Budget

Planning and understanding your expenses before you move in together can save time, money and frustration. It is easy to underestimate how much goes into the move-in process, so budget your costs before the last minute. First, you must determine if you will hire movers or do it yourself.

If you hire movers, you must budget for a company fee, moving insurance, extra services, potential damage costs and tips. Moving yourself requires budgeting for truck rentals, mileage and gas, road tolls, extra equipment rental, incidentals and food. Whichever method you choose, you should add a 5%-10% buffer to your moving budget in case of damage or unexpected costs.

 

7. Practice Open Communication

The common phrase, "communication is key," applies to many phases of life — including moving in with your partner. Now that you will be sharing a space, practicing honesty and creating a healthy level of transparency is essential.

If your spouse does something that bothers you, or if there's something you would like them to start doing, communicate that with them. Simply telling your partner how they chew annoys you or ordering them to take out the trash won't aid your relationship. Instead, preplan a calm, effective way to share your thoughts and feelings. This could create a positive space to share openly and encourage growth.

 

8. Keep Dating!

This advice may sound trivial but is a highly effective way to stay involved with your partner and ensure time for your relationship. Although you will be living together, sharing a space isn't dating.

Getting out of the house together is a great way to maintain romance and activity, whether going to a movie, taking a weekly walk in the park or enjoying the occasional fancy dinner. Studies show that going on regular dates as a married couple can increase your happiness. Of those with regular date nights, 84% of husbands and 83% of wives report being happy in their marriage — significantly higher than those that don’t.

 

Enjoy This Next Step With Your Partner

This is a special time in your life, so be sure to cherish every moment. From your proposal to your first home, it is important to take a step back and look at how far you've come — in yourself and your relationship.

 

 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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