Moving for the sake of your relationship is a big step. There’s a lot to lose, but there’s more to gain than you might think. Here’s how to decide for yourself.
The decision to move with a partner, or especially, for a partner, carries significant weight. It also carries some risk — adjusting to a completely new environment, building a new social community and retaining your sense of individuality and personal ambition in the process are all critical factors to consider.
For some couples, moving somewhere new together is a simple matter of saying “Where you go, I go.” There’s no question about it. But when a couple has gotten together only recently, or either partner absolutely loves their lives right where they are, things begin to get complicated.
A move could mean job loss, housing challenges and unforeseen financial stress. This, in turn, can impact the relationship itself, creating uncertainty about its future as well as each partner’s life trajectory. So, how do you decide whether it’s the right choice for you?
Researchers surveyed over 200 couples two months prior to relocation and then at quarterly intervals for one year post-relocation. They studied the impact of partnered relocation across four domains:
Careers. This includes adjusting to professional or academic changes, such as starting a new job or beginning a new school program. It can also involve adapting to changes in your partner’s work or education situation, which may bring its own set of adjustments.
Social networks. Relocation often reshapes our circle of connections. This might mean moving further away from family, moving closer to them, losing old social ties or building new friendships and support systems in an unfamiliar place.
Living arrangements. Shifts in where and how you live can bring both excitement and stress. This could involve searching for a new home, settling into a different neighborhood or adapting to changes in your standard of living.
Logistics. The practical aspects of relocation can be just as demanding as the emotional fallout. Navigating logistics might include managing the financial impact of the move, taking care of administrative paperwork or learning to navigate a new culture and language.
Here are two insights researchers can offer into the impact of partnered relocation, based on this study.1. Moving Can Be Highly Stressful, But The Stress Subsides
Researchers found that the effects of relocating were somewhat of a mixed bag.
