Challenges of moving home as a couple
We understand that moving into a new home can bring its difficulties, some of which often weave their way into relationships. It is exciting, daunting and everything in between, making preparing to move into a new house as a couple all the more important. In a nutshell, it boils down to ensuring you and your partner collaborate on the move together. How you collaborate is up to you at the end of the day, but for your convenience we’ve put together a few tips on how to survive moving home as a couple:
Communicate
Finding a new home as a couple should never be a one-way street, it’s something you both discuss in equal measure. This is because it is important to make sure the decision to move is one you both agree on. Sometimes it might seem tempting to have one person manage and arrange the details, but there is a chance you won’t see eye to eye on everything. Having two people go over the move is a great way to share the load, as well as mitigate the possibility of any disagreements.
• Try to choose a destination based on what the two of you need, whether this is proximity to specific amenities or cultural attractions. If you and your partner are moving abroad and want to experience what a location is like before you move there, you could always consider our area orientation service.
• Don’t be afraid to concede ground either, if it means a different aspect of the move can better suit you. Moving as a couple is often a balancing act, with both parties vying to make sure the move suits certain expectations. Whatever you or your partner concede, the most important thing is that you both feel comfortable.
• Talk through your concerns. There is no point waiting until moving day, or even until after the move, to let your partner know that something doesn’t work for you.
Declutter, if you can
Moving home is effectively a blank slate, so why not think about selling or donating a few things? It’s a great way to leave room for new items when you move in and mentally, it can leave one feeling more refreshed and confident about the move. Of course there’s bound to be a plethora of stuff you simply don’t want to lose, which makes it important for you and your partner to agree on what should go.
• Chalk up a list of ‘non-negotiable’ objects. Knowing what absolutely cannot go from the outset is a good start. This way, when you get to the end, you can always reconsider keeping or losing an item.
• Don’t insult (accidentally or otherwise) your partner’s preferences for what they want to keep or lose. Objects can carry a huge amount of sentimental value, making it essential to check, double check and triple check what it is you put in the ‘things to go’ pile.
• If you really can’t decide, there’s no harm in waiting until you get to the new house to declutter! In actuality, it gives you the opportunity to see how certain objects will look in the new home; you could find yourself thinking they look great in a different environment.
Think ahead
It’s easy to view a move as some distant concept on the horizon. Unfortunately, it’s this attitude that leaves countless movers panicking over packing at the last minute. Our advice is to start packing the non-essentials a few months in advance, as it gives you breathing room to focus on the other details. Psychologically, it is a calming effect simply knowing that one part of the move is already sorted. Here are a few other important things to think about:
• Have you got a job waiting for you, or the security to search for jobs after the move?
• What about an exact moving date? Try to find this out as soon as you can, so you have a defined deadline to stick to.
• Utilities, don’t forget about utilities! The last thing you want to do on moving day is settle into a house with no heating, internet etc. If possible, try to get these things sorted before the move, or as part of the process on moving day. Choosing the latter means it can get a bit hectic with everything else going on, but you won’t regret having working utilities on your first night.
Support each other
No matter how smooth the moving journey might be, there will always be a potent blend of emotions. Happiness, sadness, elation and exhaustion, a move weighs heavy on the minds of those involved. That is why it’s so important to support one another and be mindful of when either of you are feeling the pressure. Take some time to talk things out; don’t be afraid to voice any concerns you may be having about the move.
How can Santa Fe help with our move?
Through our range of exceptional moving services, we create seamless moving journeys. For your convenience, we connect you to a single point of coordination. This means that one of our talented move coordinators will arrange and manage every aspect of your move, right down the smallest details. Get in touch with us today to discover how Santa Fe can transform your move.
