7 Signs It's Time to Move in Together ...

Moving in together if one or both of you is financially unstable is not a good idea. One of you will undoubtedly need to lean on the other, putting excess strain on your relationship. Money is a difficult subject to breach, and if you both have your own finances starting out, it's a subject you'll never have to deal with. At least, not for a while.

If you're already used to spending a lot of time together, making the adjustment to living together will be easier for both of you. If he regularly sleeps at your place, or you regularly sleep at his, you're already somewhat knowledgeable about each other's quirks, habits and lifestyle preferences. Sharing a roof won't be nearly as hard.

Moving in with the boyfriend after dating for three weeks is not wise. You don't know anything about him and he doesn't know anything about you either. Give yourselves time to get to know one another before making any decisions. Moving in together is a big commitment, a decision that could bode well or poorly on your relationship and it's not one that should be made too soon.

If you're both in a position where you listen to one another, not just about how your day was or where you want to eat dinner, but to a point where you're both truly hearing each other and willing to make compromises to please the other, you might be ready to live together. Being able to listen and hear your partner, and then act on it is a sign that you can both be mature enough to overcome conflict.

If you haven't met each other's close friends and family, you might not be ready. Meeting each other's friends and family implies a certain sense of openness and approachability, not to mention feeling less awkward when guests come over or when you're taken to a family function.

Being able to vibe on a certain deep level means that you might be ready. If you know each other on a basis of understanding character flaws and respecting your significant other's decisions, preferences, tastes and quirks, you're on your way to building a solid and well-rounded relationship.

Life is a long progression of one step leading to another, and relationships are no different. If you're both looking ahead in your relationship instead of standing still, or even looking back, you might be ready to take the next step together. Looking toward the future, whether it's marriage or cohabitation, is a good indication that you're both still invested in the relationship.

Keep in mind that the decision ultimately boils down to you. Do what's best for both of you. Follow your instincts and listen to your heart, but don't ignore the facts!

Nan Gibbons is a licensed nutritionist and personal trainer who owns her own fitness company in Southern California. Her proudest accomplishment is being the single mom to her three-year-old son, Reid. In their free time, Reid and Nan enjoy spending time at the beach, playing with their lab mix Cody, and embarking on new cooking and fitness adventures! You can find out more on twitter (@healthnut2011) or read her lifestyle blog EatBreatheBlog.

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