6 Tips for moving in together: Your cohabitation guide

So you have decided to take the leap and share a space with your favourite person. The back-and-forth between apartments has run its course, and the idea of finally having one home together sounds pretty great. Moving in together is exciting, but it is also one of the bigger transitions a couple goes through.

Getting two people, two sets of stuff, and two different routines into one harmonious space takes more than just love and a moving truck. Here are six tips to help make the process smoother for both of you.

1. Make sure you are moving in for the right reasons

Splitting rent and cutting down on commute time between apartments are nice perks, but they should not be the main reason you are making this move. Moving in together requires a genuine respect for each other's space, habits, routines, and belongings. You will be sharing a home and a lot more time together than you already do, in the good moments and the harder ones, too.

Make sure you are both emotionally ready for that, not just financially motivated. The practical benefits will follow naturally when the foundation is solid.

2. Talk about money before moving day

Budget conversations are not the most romantic, but having them before you move in is so much better than having them after. Decide in advance how you will split rent, utilities, groceries, and other shared costs. It does not have to be a straight fifty-fifty split. What matters is that it feels fair to both of you, given your individual circumstances.

And do not forget to sort out who is covering the moving costs before the truck arrives. At Six Moving, we have seen more than a few couples caught off guard at the end of a move because they never discussed who would pay. Save yourselves that awkward moment and sort it out in advance. If you have very different approaches to money, talking to a financial advisor together before the move is a worthwhile step.

3. Make room for your partner

We all naturally fill the space we have. But when someone new is moving in, they need room too, physically and emotionally. Before moving day, go through your belongings and declutter. Get rid of things you no longer use, need, or want, through donation, a sale, or disposal. Start this process at least two weeks before the move so you are not rushing at the last minute.

Clearing space in the closet, bathroom, and kitchen before your partner arrives is a small gesture that goes a long way. It signals that you are genuinely making room for them in your life, not just squeezing them into it.

4. Decide together what stays and what goes

Two households becoming one means making some decisions about duplicate items and furniture that may not fit the new space. Do you really need two coffee makers? Two couches? If one is in better condition or better suits the space, make that call together.

Keep in mind that local Toronto moves are charged by time, so the more items you move, the longer and more costly the move will be. Moving only what you actually need and use is both practical and cost-effective. Be thoughtful about letting go of things, and be sensitive to the fact that your partner may have attachments to certain belongings.

If you have furniture to donate, Six Moving can help deliver it to Habitat for Humanity as part of your move.

5. Talk about the future

Before you sign a lease together, make sure you have a shared sense of where things are headed. It does not have to be a rigid five-year plan, but you should both have a general idea of what you want over the next few years. Are you thinking about marriage, pets, children, or buying a place? These conversations can feel uncomfortable, but having them early means you are building your life together intentionally rather than just going along with things.

You do not need to have all the answers. What matters is that you are honest with each other about where you are and what you want.

6. Remember that you are building a life together

Cohabitation is not just a logistical arrangement. It is a commitment to showing up for each other every day, in a shared space with shared responsibilities. It takes compromise, communication, and a lot of patience, especially in the early weeks when you are still figuring out each other's rhythms and routines.

Support each other, listen to each other, and give each other grace during the adjustment period. Moving in together is one of the most meaningful steps a couple takes. Approach it with care, and you'll look back on it fondly.

Ready to make the smart move?

If your next chapter involves a move, let’s make getting there feel exciting, not exhausting. At Six Moving, we know every move comes with its own set of details, from logistics and timing to access points and those unexpected little quirks along the way. We take care of it all so you can focus on what’s ahead, not what you have to lift. It’s as easy as one, two... six!

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