For many of us, moving in with friends is an exciting venture. What better than sharing your home with your best friends?! However, it’s important to remember that living with others can be tough. No matter how close you are or how well you get on, moving in with other people can put a strain on any relationship. From sharing space to paying bills and ensuring everyone does their bit to keep the property in top condition, striking the right balance when living with friends can be difficult.
While moving in with friends can come with a whole host of challenges, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it. Living with your pals can be a great experience – whether you’re moving into a sleek flat with your best friend or delving into a big house with four of your mates, cohabitating with friends can be lots of fun.
Before you get to work finding a reliable removals company to move all of your possessions to your new place, it’s important that you know what to expect when moving in with your pals. Below, we’ve put together our top tips to ensure that you have the best possible living experience.
Communicate with each other
When it comes to living with friends, communication is key. It’s important that you are honest, upfront and open with each other from the start. You may find it difficult to bring up certain issues with a friend, but trust us when we say it’s better to address an issue rather than letting it fester. If something bothers you, bring it up – perhaps they haven’t cleaned the bathroom or they’ve left dirty dishes out. The best way to approach these issues is with a quick chat; this will ensure that you continue to have a healthy and honest relationship.
However, it’s also important that you don’t overdo it. Living with someone else can take some adjusting to, so try to be understanding and tolerant of others too. If you feel annoyed that they left their dishes out, politely ask them to clean them rather than being passive aggressive.
Work out how you plan to pay bills
It’s not always easy to discuss finances with a close friend, but this discussion is necessary. Before you move in together, it’s important to discuss your finances and budgets to ensure that you choose a place that everyone can afford. The last thing you want is to be left in a difficult financial situation.
When you live with someone, you should take their finances into consideration too. They may be your best friend, but if they can’t pay their bills on time, this is going to cause some issues, which is why it is important to discuss money beforehand.
With the above in mind, it’s worth having some understanding of your housemate’s work arrangements before moving in together. You should feel confident that they can pay their rent and fair share of living expenses on time.
Agree on house chores and responsibilities
To ensure that your new home remains clean and tidy, it’s important that you divide up household chores and responsibilities. It may seem unnecessary at first, but it can save lots of arguments and ensure that everyone is doing their bit in the property. Some people are obsessed with cleanliness, whereas others don’t even notice mess piling up. A simple cleaning rota can solve all of your issues and ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to cleaning.
It’s best to have a conversation about house chores and responsibilities at the very beginning. Make a big list of everything that needs to be done around the house – from vacuuming the stairs and wiping down surfaces to taking out the bins and emptying the dishwasher. From this list, put together a weekly cleaning schedule. As people become more comfortable in a property, they can quickly start to become more relaxed about chores and cleaning. A rota is a great way to make sure everyone does their bit for the house and keep everyone in check!
Respect each other’s privacy
Even the best of friends need space and privacy. When you move in with friends, it’s important that you strike the right balance between spending time together and giving each other space. There may be some evenings when you simply want to spend time by yourself, and that’s ok. Remember to pay attention to your other friendships too – but let your pal know that you’re always there when they need someone to talk to. Everyone needs some alone time now and again, so make sure both you and your friend understand this.
They say you never truly know someone until you live with them, and in many situations this is true. Always respect each other’s privacy and give each other the space you need. It’s good to establish a few ground rules when you first move in to make sure you understand each other’s expectations and boundaries.
For example, if someone works on a Saturday, they may need an early night on Friday and be against lots of noise. You may wish to do weekly shops for the house to stock up on household necessities such as washing up liquid, toilet paper, soap, cleaning products and kitchen roll. If so, organise who will get what and when so that you never run out at an awkward time.
Enjoy it!
Living with your friends should be a fun experience – so remember to enjoy it! Moving in with a friend can actually ease the stresses associated with moving and make the whole experience easier. Sharing the burdens and joys of moving house with a friend can strengthen your relationship – plus, you’ve always got someone to chat to if you need them.
Decorating your new home with your friends is a fun and exciting project. Working out what furniture, appliances and utensils you want in your new home is all part of the fun – not to mention what colour schemes you want to incorporate. You can cook up delicious meals together, spend your Sundays watching movies and always have someone to come home with and share rides with after a night out.
Essex Removals: professional removal services in Essex
Once you’ve made the exciting decision to move in with your friends, you’ll need to find a reliable removals company to help you get everything transported safely and efficiently to your new property. Essex Removal Service & Co is a family-run company with over 25 years of experience in providing hassle-free removals, storage and shipping services.
Whether you’re moving down the road or you’re relocating to a whole new part of the country, we can provide you with all of the services you need to ensure all of your possessions arrive at your new home safely and efficiently.
While moving house is an exciting new chapter, it can also be a very stressful time with plenty to organise. Fortunately, the experienced and reliable team at Essex Removal Service & Co can assist you. We understand that packing up belongings can be a pain, which is why our experienced team offers professional packing services. We can help you get everything professionally packed and help you get set up in your new home in no time at all.
We guarantee to keep your possessions in top condition while on the road, which is why we offer up to £50,000 for your peace of mind. We use the latest and safest packing materials to keep your possessions intact and can safely and securely store your belongings at our secure facility until you’re ready to have them unloaded at your new property.
For more information about our professional removals services, simply visit our website or get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.
