Sharing a place with your beau has becoming more and more an option for couples nowadays. Still a number of researches conducted pointed out that cohabiting prior to marriage are not all successful. These couples have a higher risk of getting a divorce.

So how can you know if it’s the right time to tie the knot or find another crib?

• Your Willingness to Wait

 Cohabitation provides you and your beau a lot of time for each other. But this not guarantee you a wedding dress in the next two or five years. Half of the people who chose to live together before getting married usually ties the knot after 5 to 7 years. Unless you are willing to wait, it’s better to keep your own pad.

• His and Your Credit Rating

 Who will pay for what?  Financial issues will always arise between the two of you. Sharing the rent and dividing the bills will someday become an issue. Disclose your respective salaries and debts to your partner. If your finances are not stable of if you have issues when it comes to money, think twice before moving in together. Financial issues can hurt and sometimes end relationships.

• Settling Emotional Issues

 Cohabitation let’s you know your partner more personally. Keep in mind the times the two of you fought. Why the two of you fought and whose fault was it? Living together gives you a clearer picture of the person you might end up marrying in the future.

• Privacy Issues

 Moving in or having your partner transfer to your place is equivalent to sharing a space to someone else, losing a part of your privacy. Closet space, renovations and sharing bathroom essentials are some of the issues couples may face. Having friends come over your pad can also be an issue. So if you have a lot of quirks and irks when it comes to sharing a place with someone else, cohabitation is not for you.

• Your Schedule

 Night out with friends, over time work, vacations and travels you used to do alone will be issues because there will be someone waiting at home for you. It’s either you bring them with you or make them understand your schedule.

• Less Quality Time

 Since the two of you are living together, you tend to spend more time with each other. Though the first few months seems to be exciting, you will alter on discover that cohabitating usually results in less quality time. So before moving in, make sure that you wouldn’t be running out of ideas to surprise each other.