5 Things To Consider Before Moving In Together

It's spring time in Seattle. As a renter, this means one thing more than others. More than Pride. More than blue skies. More than the beach.

That's right,

IT'S MOVING SEASON

Every year at this time your lease expires. You think, "This'll be the year I get what I want." And you're gonna get it no matter what.  

You’ve found a new bey or a best friend and you want to move in together. That’s great news. Moving in together is such a great idea! You can split expenses. You can have a bigger space. Friends will come to you now, because you can entertain. It’s easier on your carbon foot print. Best of all, you'll always have a cuddle buddy. All of that aside, if things go poorly, you need to have a back up plan that involves more than to call mom & dad.

I have a housewarming gift for you:

5 Things to Consider Before Moving In Together

1. How well do I know this person? 

Tell me this, when did you meet? How long have you really known each other? Can you count the number of emotions this person has expressed on more than one hand?

If your answers are, Recently, Long enough, and Nope, I caution you: this is one surefire way to vulcanize any relationship for “moving in together” status.  

Go to IKEA together, on a Saturday, midday, on the day of a sale. Don’t stop for meatballs, let your blood sugar get as low as possible. That’s when you find the true nature of the person you are with. Buy more than six items two of which have to be over 34lbs (pretty easy all-in-all). If you can last this most terrible of errands, you can weather just about anything. 

2. Together, are we financially stable?

How quickly can you come up with $3,000?

This is roughly how much money you’ll need to A) cover all the rent and groceries for one  month B) 1st month’s rent and deposit for a studio apartment.

It’s not fun to think about what if they can’t make rent this month or what if I need to get out of here NOW, but it’s necessary. 

Are you planning on splitting the rent equally? How much more or less will this amount be than what you are used to paying? Its this a truly feasible budget? 

Sometimes it can be hard to talk about financial stuff, you just met after all. I’m not asking you to file for a joint account, but getting an apartment together is a similar caliber decision. 

3. Are we both going to be on the lease?

What happens if break up? Most leases have heavy penalties for breaking them. Again, I know you’re never going to break apart, you’re both in Really Really Really Like with each other. Nothing can stop you now.

4. What do I do with my furniture?

This is tough. I am the type to sell it off and donate all my lame old stuff. But I tend do date up. ;-) This can best be discussed during your IKEA trip during step one. If you decide to keep all your furniture and get a storage unit, make sure to add that to your monthly rent amount. It’s surprising how quickly one year of renting a storage locker can out value all you old crappy furniture and stained mattress. (Are you sure you don’t want to get rid of it?) 

5. Is this truly a place we both love more than our own homes? 

This question is more metaphysical, I mean, moving in with someone is a grand gesture of solidarity but let’s be honest. If you’re the type that needs to have everything in just the right place or you really need your quiet time, then moving in with someone might not be that pleasant for you. It might be a bigger sacrifice than you think. And really, if you’re not drowning in rent like most of us are these days it might be good to have your own special space. Another option, if you are drowning in rent is to illegally Airbnb one of your places now and then to cover some of the cost.

In closing, move in with them. Shoot for the moon! I’m mean, why not? You don’t really have that much to lose. It's probably going to be really great. Just make sure you’ve got a back up plan. :-) 

Happy Hunting,

Roy a.k.a. The Rent Guru