On the most recent episode of Love Island, Amber Gill said that she could see a relationship with Michael Griffiths if he was willing to pack up and move to Newcastle after the show.
The reality dating show seeks to match young singles with their true love. Should one pair make it to the end, they have the potential to win £50,000. But that doesn’t mean that Michael is willing to upend his current life as a firefighter in Liverpool for his fellow contestant.
While the two certainly have chemistry, it’s a big decision to pack up and move for your loved one, whether you’ve known them for a few weeks or a few years.
According to a recent survey performed by Hire A Helper, over 24% of respondents reported that they have moved because of a relationship before. While 73% of these individuals stayed with their partner for more than a year following this transition, 27% claimed that their relationship dissolved within a year. On top of that, another 10% experienced a failure in their relationship within the first three months and most people argue at least 19 times a month.
It’s obviously a decision that needs plenty of thought. If you’re struggling to determine whether or not you should make the big move with your partner, here are some questions you should ask yourself before packing up.
Would you move if you were single?
If the thought of moving to a new location scares you, you might not be ready to move for love. After all, you’ll have a new city to explore, a new culture to learn, and a new life to lead. While your partner will be with you in the mornings and evenings, you’ll be on your own when they’re at work. You have to remember that you have a life outside of your partner; is this new location somewhere that would make you feel fulfilled?
Having a partner will open up a lot of doors when it comes to traveling and being able to afford to travel. But if you wouldn’t want to move on your own, moving for a partner will only inspire resentment in both parties. Don’t move for love if you wouldn’t be willing to move if you were single. And if you, like some 50% of couples, ended your marriage with divorce, a commitment this big is a huge undertaking. It requires significant thought and consideration.
Do you have money to support yourself?
While you shouldn’t plan to break up, you need to be sure you can support yourself if you have to live on your own. At the very least, you need to ensure that you have enough money to make it back home for support.
A good rule of thumb is to ensure that your financial situation is liveable without your partner in the picture. This is vital if you’re moving somewhere expensive like New York City or London. It might mean that you have to scrimp and save for a little while after you break up, but if you can find a side hustle or save on taxes, living in a big city as a single person is achievable. After all, up to 100% of your medical insurance premiums are deductible from your taxes if you’re self-employed. Your work laptop and living space might also be tax-deductible if you work from home.
How far are you willing to go?
If you have decided that you’re willing to make a career change and move to a new location, how far are you willing to go? Though moving from Liverpool to Newcastle would demand a job change, the distance between the two locations is only a few hours. Between visiting friends, family, and your favorite restaurants back home, this is entirely feasible for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
But what if your partner asked you to move to across the country? What if they asked you to move to another continent? While some people might jump at the opportunity to go somewhere new, discussing potential deal-breakers with your partner is essential.
This is especially important if you’re hoping to visit home more often. Though more than 900 dogs sniff out bombs and other potential threats in airports throughout the United States, the exhaustion associated with traveling is far more common than an external threat. Booking a flight and traveling every few weeks is enough to make anyone feel burnt out.
Have you already lived with your partner?
Let’s be honest: moving with your partner to a new city or town is a lot easier if you’ve already lived together.
That doesn’t mean that other couples will fail. But it can be hard to adjust to living with your partner when you’re also moving to a new location. One of the major issues many couples face when they first move in is differences in finances.
When you’re both learning about the cost of bills and spending in a new area, this can be a major source of contention. Even though a simple home change like installing a window tint could save you up to 40% on your utility bills, it’s still hard to live with someone new. Paired with learning about your partner’s living habits, this living situation might seem like an overwhelming change.
Before you move in with your partner to a new location, be sure to discuss living habits and dealbreakers so you’re both on the same page. Try traveling with them on a small vacation to get a better idea of their living style and see if it’s compatible with the way you live.
Are you ready to move for love?
When all is said and done, moving for love is entirely up to you. After all, the survey performed by Hire A Helper also found that 65% of people were glad that they moved for their partner, whether the relationship worked out or not. If you’re stuck deciding on whether or not to move, try asking yourself these questions.
