Sometimes, with all the excitement that comes from making that big decision to move in with our Partner, some important questions and considerations are forgotten about. Often, any rational thought gives way to the thrill of moving in with a significant other.

We relish the benefits of shared Rent expenses, not having to travel back and forth to each other’s place, and even moving forward in our relationship. All great rewards to say the least, but if you intend to have your cohabitation work out smoothly, there are some key questions you should ask your partner before you make that big leap.

1. Financial Questionnaire

Wouldn’t it be easier if everyone earned the same amount of money? A dream that is likely a far ideal away. As a result, discussing your financial situation with your partner is an important part of living together.

Some Questions to Ask Are:

• Who will pay the rent? Will it be shared equally or divided? Will the person who makes the higher income pays the lion’s share?
• Will you share an account or keep your earnings separate?
• Will you split costs on other necessities, like electricity, water, cable, groceries, etc.?
• If one has debt, whether in credit cards, loan payments, etc., will the other help with these fees?
• Do either of you have any savings set aside in case of an emergency, such as a loss of job, major car repairs, emergency plane ticket to visit sick family, etc.?
• Who will ultimately be in charge of managing the bills?
• How will you decide what is a luxury item versus a need item?

By checking these questions off of your list, you will feel more prepared for when you move in with one another. If you already expect that your partner may not be able to cover a higher rent than they already pay, and have agreed to pay more, you won’t have this as an unexpected surprise down the road.

2. Where Do You Want to Live?

Chances are you both don’t currently live in the same neighborhood, especially if you live in a city. Consequently, each of you may have a preferred location, likely due to the bias of already living there and developing a connection to the neighborhood and the locals.

Or, maybe you have never been able to afford your preferred neighborhood, but now that you will share the rent with your partner you feel as though you can. Do you and your significant other have the same views on your dream location, or will it take some convincing?

Some Key Factors That Will Affect Where You Choose to Live Are:

• Work commute
• Location to friends and family
• Whether you have a vehicle or use public transportation
• Cost of rent for particular neighborhood
• Safety of location
• Surrounding attractions, such as parks, museums, sporting arenas, shopping, restaurants, etc.
• Do you have children? Will the location of a school be a factor?

Make a list and go over each item; using a pro and con format, you will need to make sure it is fair for both parties.

3. Building Restrictions and Amenities

You may have been eyeing the listings of a particular building for a while, but that was before your significant other walked into your life. Now that the two of you are going to be moving in together, your dream apartment may no longer tick off all the boxes on your list.

Some apartment buildings don’t allow pets, this would break your partner and their dog’s heart. Many buildings are very restrictive on smoking and without a balcony, your significant other’s habit would be difficult to maintain in the winter.

Maybe you both drive cars but the building only permits each unit with one parking spot and street parking is a nightmare. Maybe your companion loves to cook but the kitchen is completely outdated. Many restrictions may not be a bother to you, but to your future roommate, they are a deal-breaker.

In other cases, a building’s amenities can be what tips the scales in favor of picking a complex. Perhaps they have an on-site, 24 hours gym, a pool, a rooftop patio, and a dog park for your furry friend. Just remember to keep in mind that all the extras can mean extra fees, after all, they cost money to maintain.

4. Future Life Plans

If you are taking the leap of moving in with your significant other, then chances are you have at some point in time talked about your future; where each one of you sees yourself down the road. This includes individually and together.

If you are talking about marriage and a family, you may want to consider getting a larger apartment, one that will consider a second room for the possibility of a future family member. Or, maybe the two of you have always dreamed of having a dog and want to make sure that you will be able to once you have settled into your new place.

What if your partner is still in school and has a few more years to go before they get a full-time job? Or what if your partner travels a lot for work and this means having to take care of the household duties alone for a while, possibly even carrying extra expenses for a bit?

Included in under life plans can be the basic question of why the two of you are choosing to move in together in the first place? Is it for love? Is it to help your partner out with expenses? Is it because it just seems like the next logical step? Make sure you know what your reasons are, and be honest with each other.

Don’t forget to ask yourself if this is what you truly want. Knowing the reason for the move, where your life and what plans you have for the future are crucial parts of making your plans to live together a successful venture.

5. How Well Do You and Your Partner Compromise?

Picture what your place looks like, now picture what their place looks like. Do you have a lot of similar tastes? Do you like decorating in mute colors while they like bright? Do you collect old records while they are highly into streaming and downloading everything?

Differences are often exciting at the beginning of a relationship. A difference in a partner helps us to get out of our comfort zone and experience new things. But then, after the dust settles, we become aware that difference may mean that we don’t always get our way of doing things; which can include what gets to stay in an apartment that you live together in.

Compromise will become a big factor and will also fall outside of how your place is decorated. This includes a bathroom schedule, cleaning arrangements, who will run errands, and who will complete regular tasks like getting dinner on the table?

Further to this may be your regular lifestyle, are you a nighthawk while they are an early riser. Do you like to pick at food straight out of the refrigerator while they are known for their Chicken Piccata? Do you make the bed every morning while they won’t wash the dishes for days?

Do you have the same group of friends? Perhaps you don’t go a day without seeing your bestie, but that might be too much for your future roommate? Maybe every Sunday he has the guys over for football, but you use that as your day to study. Negotiating and the willingness to bend will make a big difference in moving forward together, successfully.  

6. Consider a Written Agreement

Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan it to. Even if you start your living arrangement committed and in love, life happens and relationships can end for one reason or another. When this happens, disputes often occur and, in some cases, one will accuse the other of money owed, or who gets what half of a sofa set purchased together.

This is where you may want to consider getting some written proof of any agreements you make together. If you go to school and your partner agrees to cover the rent cost during the school year, put it in writing.

If you bring in your large entertainment system and your collection of prized, vintage records, but over time they buy a few records of their own and the two of you add new speakers to the entertainment system, it may be hard to remember whose was what first.

If you create a list, all the little things will be able to be split more easily and the two of you can always sell or discuss the things you bought together logically and with definite proof.

Making it Work

Coming together to live in one space means joining two personalities, even if the two of you are similar, there can still be a few bumps in the road. The best way to overcome the bumps you face is to be prepared so that you know how to handle them.

If you have sat down with your significant other and covered the above 6 questions and are ready to move forward in your apartment hunt, why not snuggle up together and check out these great listings for your next place, together!

Read next: Moving in: How to make your first apartment feel like home

The post Moving in With A Significant Other? 6 Questions to Ask appeared first on The Zumper Blog.