Living together?

Question

What are your thoughts on a couple living together before marriage? I had always thought I'd wait until I was married, but the more realistic I am, I realize it might be better to give things a try before committing to marriage. Also, my decision would not have anything to do with religion.
Anyone done this? If so, how did it work? Did you get married later?

Answer 1

Never marry someone without living with them for at least one year! You never really know someone until you live with them....I lived with my wife a little over a year before we got married and we are still together (8 years). I also loved with another girl for about six months before that...thank god I didn't wait to marry her!

Answer 2

There is no reason why you can't do it while you are engaged but, doing it before that is a little un-reasonable. Usually you should start if you are serious and you want to get married. It would be best before you get married so that you can get used to the idea of living with someone for the rest of your life. Think carefully. If you are not ready for it, then don't rush into it. It could take some getting used to see someone around all the time. Also, a lot of the couples today break up before they are even engaged because they get in fights when they are always around each other and they are not mature enough for that. Good Luck! :)

Answer 3

I lived together with my past husband and my current husband before marriage. I didn't make this decision consciously - both times, it just felt "right" to spend more and more time together, until we were virtually living together. The next logical step was to simply give up paying rent on my own place, and to move in officially - while agreeing that we would be getting married in the future.

I would not live together "to see" if we can live together - the only times I lived with someone was when I was sure that this was the person I wanted to be with. But I think people should do whatever works best for them; there's no right or wrong answer here. If it feels right, if you're comfortable with it - do it.

Answer 4

We lived together after we were engaged but before we were married. I wouldn't recommend moving in without at least an engagement, because it's far too common (just look at some of the questions here) for the couple to move in together and then three years later one of them is asking "Why doesn't s/he want to get married?" Well, you have all the benefits of a spouse without the legal entanglements, so why SHOULD they want to get married?

I think there are important things you should learn about your partner before you get married, and how they live day-to-day is one of them. But I think there needs to be more of a commitment than "boyfriend/girlfriend" before moving in together.

Answer 5

I lived with an ex boyfriend for two years and because of this I learned that although I will always love him, he and I are really not meant to be.
Onthe other hand ...
I am currently living with my current boyfriend and I absolutely love it. We haven't really discussed marriage to its fullest because he knows that I am not ready for that step. But i love being able to come home from a long day at work and have him to snuggle up to and make dinner with.
I think that if you really love someone and plan on possibley getting married in the future you should definately live with them.

Answer 6

yes...i lived with my now husband for almost a year and a half before we got engaged....and that was only after knowing him for about 5 months....it was really nice spending all that time together and seeing how we relate on a day to day basis....it is a good way to see if you two really are compatible in every way and it teaches you how to go though all the challenges that life can throw at you....i would recommend it if it is something you want to do....and it worked for us we just got married in June and i love it.

Answer 7

I'm in the same predicament. My bf wants to, but I don't. I like to keep my financial independence and my space. I love him and we're are getting married, but I just don't want to shack up. It doesn't have to do with religious reasons either, perhaps I'm afraid of routine. I'm also weary that if I move in with him he may cool down the marriage subject. We have been honest to each othe and discussed things. I finally compromised and we're moving in before getting married. He felt very stronglt about co-habitating and learn about each other before getting married and afetr 2 years of him asking me to move in I've finally agreed. We are both responsible, mature, financially sucessful adults, so I guess it was just me being too set on my ways. It's scarry, but I'm gonna do it.

Good luck

Answer 8

i have been staying in my gf's dorm for quite sometime now over the past couple of years. so we more or less are living together though not officially. we have known each other for 4 years. we really like to live together because of many advantages such as, cooking together, laundry, helping each other out with assignments and more. we definitely know each other's habits well and we always talk to each other about things. things that we are interested in and things that we feel can be improved in all aspects of our relationship.

bottom line is, if you want to live together, be ready for sweet times, arguments and fights (hopefully not physical). also, be open to each other and communicate well. being near to one another does not mean that you know what your partner is thinking and vice versa.

Answer 9

Me and my man have been living together over three years and are getting married next year.

Answer 10

hey!!!
We are supposed to be getting married next year in july-depending on how our money looks~Moving in together is a good idea because you don't want to get married and then find out you can't stand living with this person for whatever reason-find out flaws first and if you can't stand them (move in first-trial an error(test run)