The Pros and Cons of Moving for a Significant Other
Making the decision to move for a significant other is a big step in any relationship and requires careful consideration.
It can be an opportunity for growth and exploration, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider all factors before making the decision to move.
Pros of Moving for a Significant Other
Moving for an intimate relationship is a big decision that can lead to significant benefits or drawbacks. It is an act of love that can bring couples closer together, but it also involves personal sacrifices and lifestyle adjustments.
Quality Time Spent Together
Moving for a significant other can be a daunting decision to make. It requires sacrificing the life you knew before, leaving behind familiar places, and starting new.
If done with the right motivation and mindset, moving near your partner can result in some of the most beautiful moments shared between two people. One such benefit is spending quality time together.
This additional time spent with one another can help strengthen the relationship and provides the potential to form a stronger bond.
One of the most significant pros of moving to a new location for your significant other is getting to live near one another.
When you move to be with your significant other, you get to discover a new city with your partner as the tour guide. There are many fun and exciting activities to do as a couple, such as:
- Check out the nightlife
- Exploring new restaurants
- Go to museums or galleries
- Joining a sports team
- Take a scenic drive
- Visit a park
In-Person Versus Virtual
When it comes to romantic relationships, in-person interactions offer a unique depth of meaningful communication and unparalleled emotional bond that cannot be achieved via virtual means.
Moving near to your long-distance partner can provide various benefits, including fostering trust and honest communication, building emotional intimacy, and increasing the longevity of the relationship.
In-person relationships allow for more emotionally centered communication wherein partners can engage in facial interaction, gestures, tone of voice, and eye contact, which in turn lead to a higher level of understanding and more accurate decoding of an intended message.
In-person relationships facilitate communication, create the opportunity to create shared memories, help build a mutual support system and strengthen compromise and problem-solving skills.
Although long-distance relationships offer significant levels of communication, they often involve feelings of loneliness, detachment, and isolation. Once proximity is established between partners, these negative feelings are dissipated, leaving room for exploration, growth, and anchoring in a purposeful relationship.
Also, in-person relationships provide the opportunity to engage in physical touch, whether it be holding hands or a meaningful hug.
Engagement, Marriage, and Starting a Family
Moving near to your long-distance partner could provide an opportunity for deeper engagement, a stronger foundation, marriage, and starting a family. In-person interaction provides certainty and helps partners to establish their long-term goal of commitment and future life together.
Physical interactions through dates, going out, and sharing experiences together, make the relationship feel more sincere, gratifying, and exciting. Being in the same physical proximity with your partner provides the opportunity to see them outside of the virtual space, which can make for a more successful relationship.
Moving for a long-term relationship partner allows the couple to focus on shared goals that may involve starting a family or just deepening their commitments to the relationship.
Moving near to your partner opens up opportunities for new relationship stages which may include family planning, discussions about future children, parenting techniques, and building a committed relationship that supports parenthood in the future.
Through the good times and the bad times, the relationship quality will depend on honest conversations involving deeper conversations about the goals of both partners.
The crucial question is, can the relationship weather the difficult times in order to develop that deeper bond and build a strong foundation? The answer to that question should be apparent after a couple of months in the same city or town.
If potential issues are addressed in the dating relationship through ample time, and positive communication styles; perhaps engagement, marriage, and starting a family is the direction the relationship will take.
Educational Opportunities
An overlooked advantage to moving to a new place for a significant other is that it not only offers the chance to spend quality time together but also provides an excellent opportunity for educational advancement.
Educational opportunities often present themselves in exciting and unexpected ways. When considering a move, try to research the new location’s schools and colleges or universities. [3]
Often, these schools offer better academic programs than the former location provided. New schools may offer higher-quality instruction, more specialized courses, or cutting-edge research opportunities. This can lead to a richer and more fulfilling educational experience.
Another important consideration is the potential for tuition savings. Moving to a new state and establishing oneself as a resident before enrolling in educational programs can potentially reduce tuition fees. In-state tuition is often much lower than out-of-state tuition rates, which can save families a significant amount of money in the long run.
Certain scholarships are reserved for in-state residents attending accredited colleges and universities. These scholarships can provide financial assistance to families and alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with higher education’s rising costs.
Job and Career Opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of moving to a new place for a significant other is the potential to expand one’s job and career opportunities. [1]
Moving to a new location can offer access to new business possibilities and educational resources that can enhance one’s skills and knowledge, making one a more competitive candidate in the job market.
One of the first things to research when considering a move for a significant other is the job options available in the new location. This can include looking at the:
- local industries
- major employers in the area
- unemployment rates
By identifying the job options available, one can make an informed decision about their future career prospects in the new place.
Cons of Moving for a Significant Other
Moving for a significant other can be a challenging decision. While it may seem like the perfect solution to be with the person you love, it also presents various negative aspects to consider.
From the financial burden to social adjustments, culture shock, and even the possibility of facing infidelity. Keep reading as we provide you with a comprehensive view of what to consider before making such a life-altering decision.
Time Away From Extended Family and Friends
One of the major cons of moving for a significant other is the time spent away from extended family and friends.
This can be particularly challenging if you have close relationships with loved ones in your current location. It can be hard to leave friends and family behind, as it can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
There are ways to maintain these relationships despite the distance. Regular communication can help you stay in touch with loved ones through:
- phone calls
- social media
- video chats
Planning visits and prioritizing trips to see family and friends can also help alleviate the stress of being away from them.
You will have the opportunity to meet new people, form new friendships, and build a support system in your new location. This can contribute to a well-balanced overall social life and stable emotional well-being.
Mental Health Challenges That May Come With the Move
Moving for a significant other can bring about a lot of excitement and joy, as it signals a new chapter in the relationship.
This change can also be a significant source of stress and anxiety, which can impact one’s mental health. The shift in environment, social networks, and overall lifestyle can cause a lot of emotional strain on an individual.
Research shows that relocating to a new city or town can lead to depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental health concerns. [2]
Being in a new environment without a familiar face can make a person feel isolated and alone. Adjusting to a new place, new people, and new routines can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. This can lead to feelings of depression.
People may worry about finding a new job, making new friends, and adjusting to a new lifestyle, leading to feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.
It is essential for individuals to recognize the potential mental health challenges that come with uprooting and moving for a partner. It is crucial for them to reach out for help, seek support from professionals, focus on building new friendships, and engage in self-care practices. Self-care practices can include:
- exercising
- journaling
- meditating
- spending time outdoors
Building new relationships with people in the new community can also help to alleviate feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Higher Cost of Living
Moving for a significant other can be an exciting opportunity to strengthen your relationship and experience new adventures together. It’s essential to consider the associated cost of living expenses before making such a significant decision. [4]
One of the biggest money matters to consider is the cost of real estate in the new location. The price of purchasing or renting a home or apartment in your significant other’s city may be significantly higher than what you are accustomed to paying. On top of that, utilities increase your monthly bills such as:
- electricity
- gas
- water
In addition to housing expenses, transportation can also be a cost to consider. Depending on the location, you may need to rely on a car, public transportation, or ride-sharing services, which can add up quickly.
Groceries can also be an additional expense to factor in because the price and quality of produce and supplies may differ significantly from where you are currently living.
Along with groceries, entertainment costs, such as dining out or going to the movies, can also be higher in some locations.
If possible, consider sharing expenses with roommates or renting a room in someone else’s home. By doing so, you can share some costs which can help you save a considerable amount of money such as housing and utilities.
Uncertainty of Outcome
When it comes to moving to a new town to join a significant other, it’s natural to feel uncertain about the outcome. There’s no denying that making such a significant life change can be challenging, and there are never guarantees when it comes to relationships.
No matter how much you love someone, or how compatible you are with them, things can change.
Despite these uncertainties, moving to a new town to join a significant other can also be an exhilarating adventure that opens up a world of new experiences. It presents a chance to grow and develop in ways that may not have been possible otherwise.
Living in a new town allows for a fresh start where goals and aspirations can be achieved in a new environment, new friends made, and new hobbies discovered. With each unexpected challenge, one develops patience, resilience, and problem-solving skills that may make the relationship stronger and more successful in the long term.
While it is understandable to feel uncertain when moving to a new town to join a significant other, taking the step with an open mind and a willingness to embrace new experiences, opportunities, and adventure can lead to a fulfilling and exciting journey of growth and development together and in person.
References
[1] Pelta, R., & Kaplan, Z. (2023, January 13). Should I Move for a Job? Forage. https://www.theforage.com/blog/basics/move-for-job
[2] Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
[3] Pulse, C. (n.d.). 4 in 10 Students Want to Move to a New State After College. 4 In 10 Students Want to Move to a New State After College. https://collegepulse.com/blog/4-in-10-students-want-to-move-to-a-new-state-after-college
[4] Hicks, C. (2023, February 7). How Inflation Affects Your Cost Of Living. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/inflation-cost-of-living/
