Listen up, lovebirds! What to consider before moving in together

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | February 10, 2015 - 11:59AM

Your significant other may look like a catch after they surprise you with a home-cooked three-course meal (or a plot of land in Newark) on Saturday night. But do you really want to share an apartment with your mate full-time? Below, a few points to think about before taking the cohabitation plunge, courtesy of Apartment Therapy:

Don't move in together for financial reasons alone (though we admit that in New York, it's tempting), and don't expect your lover to suddenly get over all the at-home habits that bug you.

Do make sure you've seen your partner handle stressful situations, and get on the same page about the future of the relationship. And lastly, know that you will argue, no matter what. Be sure you have the skills to resolve your fights when they arise.

For New Yorkers specifically, we'd add that getting both your names on the lease is a good idea, as is avoiding studios, if at all possible. Oh, and don't forget to divvy up the chores early on, lest your relationship implode over a sink full of dishes.

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