Moving in with your partner in Northern VA

If you came to the moving-in phase with your significant other, congratulations! A new chapter of your life is about to be opened, and it is exciting and unnerving at the same time. There are a lot of things to think about and plan ahead, like finding a reliable moving company in Northern VA. But before you throw yourself at the list of endless tasks, wait. There are some things you should take into account when moving in with your partner in Northern VA. The key parts of a seamless relocation are organizing the move, knowing what to expect after the move, and choosing the best place in Northern VA to live in with your significant other. 

The perks of this decision

Living together with a partner can be tremendously fun and a great lifestyle choice. You will be able to see your sweetheart all the time and spend a lot of quality time together. Besides gaining company, there are quite a few benefits to pairing up:

• Cooking. It is always easier and more joyful to cook for two people than for one. Less food waste and more cooking ideas.
• Budgeting. Moving in with your partner means joining the forces of your income. Splitting the bills, rent, and costs of living can be so relieving. It could also leave space in your budget to go traveling or invest money in something else;
• Splitting chores. Isn’t this a great one? You can negotiate and compromise on the chore list. You can finally delegate your most loathed chores, or at least do them half of the time.

Next, you would need to determine the type of moving service you need and if you’ll need to hire long distance moving companies in Northern VA. We suggest you get professional help in order to have a move that will be smooth from start to finish.

Make the process of moving in easy by organizing it early

Moving in with your significant other is not something you should take lightly. While this is a wonderful and happy event, you don’t want to taint the beautiful memories of starting your life together with stress. Because of that, you should:

• organize your belongings before moving in with your partner
• plan the relocation process carefully
• choose the ideal time to move for both of you
• decide on whether you want to move by yourself or hire movers

Organize your belongings before moving in with your partner

This may be the hardest part of moving in with your partner. You might need to give up on some of your belongings unwillingly, but that’s how compromise works. Your partner will also have to do the same for sure. You do not want to end up with duplicates of simple stuff such as kitchen supplies. This also goes for the furniture.  You and your partner may have different tastes when it comes to household aesthetics. So the best thing may be to buy new furniture in order to avoid any fights or disagreements.

You can both do an inventory of your belongings. Then you can decide what you are keeping for the new apartment. The rest of the stuff can be donated and sold, and the money gained can go towards a new furniture budget. This way, you will know the size of your load for the move when searching for residential movers in Northern VA. Another perk is that the fewer items you have, the more affordable the moving services will be!

Plan the relocation process carefully

Starting to plan the moving process as soon as you decide to relocate will make it much smoother and easier to manage once the time to move actually comes. Whether you like to use the old-fashioned pen and paper or you’re more into modern technology, make a to-do list of all the moving tasks. Also, make sure to include a timeline of the time by which you and your partner need to complete all the tasks. Don’t forget things like changing the address, setting up utilities, picking up all your clothes from the dry cleaners before you start packing, etc.

Choose the ideal time to move for both you and your partner

Choosing a moving date is one of the most important parts of the relocation process. If you and your partner are trying to move in a cost-effective manner, there are a few tricks you can use to make a move more budget-friendly.

Firstly, if possible, avoid moving during summer. Summer is the busiest season for most moving companies. During the peak season, it’s not only harder to find available movers, but the moving services are also more expensive. Opting for winter, early spring, or late fall relocation will not burn a hole in your wallet. You’ll have a much easier time choosing between several moving companies and not settling for anyone available.

Secondly, choose a mid-month and mid-week relocation. These are also the times when there’s less traffic congestion and the most budget-friendly options when you’re hiring movers.

And lastly, if the only time to move that works for both you and your partner is during the summer, then make sure to book moving services early. Start looking for movers up to 8 weeks before your move or even a week or two before that. That will give you enough time to get several moving estimates and come to an agreement on which company you want to hire.

DIY move or hire professional movers

Moving in with your partner will require a fair amount of planning, compromise, stress, and money. You can plan a strategy for a DIY move if you are on a tight budget and have enough time to pull it off. But DYI moves can become extremely stressful and problematic. That’s why we would highly recommend looking at moving services Northern VA that you can book.

Moving professionals have the skills and the equipment to make the relocation process impeccable and pleasurable. They are also much faster, and they’ll be able to pack your household in a matter of hours while you’d spend weeks taking care of it. And even though a DIY move might seem like a more cost-effective option, damaging your belongings can end up costing you more than what you’d have paid for moving services.

Learn more about Northern Virginia and what to expect

After the relocation part is over, you and your partner will get to enjoy the benefits of living in Northern Virginia. The proximity to Washington DC is one of the biggest advantages, but Northern VA also has numerous beautiful and bustling cities people flock to. Here’s what you can expect after you and your special someone move to NoVA:

• the cost of living is high but great
• the job market is thriving
• the housing options are colorful
• the entertainment and outdoor recreation are amazing

The cost of living is high but tolerable

The cost of living in Northern Virginia is on the higher end. However, compared to the cost of living in Washington DC, which is 59% above the US average, and other competitor regions on both the east and west coast of the United States, it’s significantly lower. The cost of living in Northern Virginia is 40% higher than the national average. That is much lower than the cost of living in San Francisco (64% higher than the US average), Honolulu (66% higher than the national average), or Manhattan (117% higher than the national average). Moreover, the somewhat higher cost of living in Northern VA will not affect your quality of life since the median income is also higher than the national average.

The job market is thriving

The job market in Northern Virginia is generally considered to be strong, with a diverse economy and a wide range of job opportunities available. With an unemployment rate of 2.8%, Northern Virginia is one of the best regions to seek employment in the state. Some of the major industries in this region are government, healthcare, technology, tourism, and education.

Northern Virginia is home to many technology companies and research centers, such as Amazon, Capital One, and SAIC, which provide job opportunities in fields such as software development, data analytics, and information technology. It’s also home to many healthcare providers and facilities, such as Inova Health System, Novant Health, and Kaiser Permanente. That means plenty of employment opportunities for job-seekers in fields such as nursing, healthcare administration, and medical research.

The housing options are varied

Suppose you’re planning to move to Northern Virginia with your significant other with the help of interstate movers in Northern Virginia. In that case, you should be aware that housing is on the expensive side. The median home price in Northern Virginia in 2022 was $525,391. Compared to the national average of $386,300, that’s definitely more expensive. On the bright side, the median home value in this region only increases in price, so if you ever decide to sell the home you bought, you’ll definitely not be at a financial loss.

The entertainment and outdoor recreation options are endless

Northern Virginia is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque nature. If you and your partner enjoy outdoor activities, you will not regret moving here. In addition to the numerous lakes, parks, and mountains that allow the residents to enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and many other activities, Northern Virginia is also home to many stables and equestrian centers, which offer opportunities for horseback riding and trail rides.

If you’re looking for variety in your leisure time, you can also explore numerous cultural attractions, such as the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, the Workhouse Arts Center, and the Little Theatre of Alexandria, which offer a wide range of entertainment options including live music, theater, and dance performances. Northern Virginia is home to many festivals and events throughout the year. Some of the most popular ones are the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival, and the Northern Virginia Wine Festival, which offer a wide range of entertainment options.

Choose one of the best cities in Northern Virginia for couples

Northern Virginia is home to many great cities that are appealing to couples. Some of the best include:

• Alexandria
• Arlington
• Fairfax
• Reston
• Leesburg
• Tysons

Alexandria

Alexandria is one of the best cities to live in Northern Virginia. It’s also well-connected to the rest of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., via public transportation. The cost of living in Alexandria is 49% higher than the national average and 39% higher than the state average. However, the housing options in this city are considered the best in the state of Virginia despite the high prices. And in case you need additional storage, there are plenty of safe storage units Alexandria VA offers. The city is also extremely safe, with crime rates 19% lower than the national average.

The job market in Alexandria is also excellent if you or your partner are looking for employment. The median individual income in Alexandria is 86% higher than the national average. Additionally, the unemployment rate is 34% lower than the US average, meaning the job market abounds with employment opportunities.

Arlington

Arlington is considered to be one of the best (if not the best) cities in Northern Virginia. This city is known for its diverse neighborhoods, such as Clarendon, Ballston, Rosslyn, and Courthouse, which offer a range of housing options and lifestyles. It’s also home to many of the region’s major cultural and recreational attractions, such as the National Mall and the Pentagon.

However, living in Arlington can be pricey. The cost of living in this fine city is 64% higher than the national average. If you decide to buy a small home or rent a smaller apartment, you will easily find secure storage units in Arlington VA. The housing prices are also high, but so is the income of Arlington residents. The median personal income in Arlington is 117% higher than the national average. Because of the high salaries and low unemployment rate, Arlington is ranked as the top big city in Virginia to live in. It’s also one of the safest cities in the state, too. The crime rates in Arlington are 62% lower than the national average.

Fairfax

Fairfax is another excellent option if you’re looking for prospective cities to move to with your partner. Although the cost of living in Fairfax is 47% higher than the national average, it’s also one of the safest places in the state. The crime rates in Fairfax are 70% lower than the US average and 58% lower than the Virginia average. This city is known for its excellent schools, such as Oak Hill Elementary School or Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, safe neighborhoods, and a number of parks and recreational facilities.

Reston

Reston is ideal for those couples who don’t like living in big cities. With a population of 65,011, Reston is the perfect medium-sized city for everyone looking for a peaceful yet not too rural place to live in. This planned community is known for its well-maintained neighborhoods, excellent schools, and abundance of parks and recreational facilities. The cost of living in Reston is 45% higher than the national average, while the median income per capita is 102% higher. In addition to that, the unemployment rate is 29% lower than the US average, which is great news for couples seeking new jobs after the move. Safety isn’t an issue in Reston, as crime rates are 67% lower than the national average.

If you decide to move to Reston, you should consider renting residential onsite storage containers. This way, you will have time to set up your home the way you want without having to rush. Plus you will have more time to get to know the area.

Leesburg

Leesburg is another popular option for people moving in and planning their future together. Although the cost of living in this charming city is 33% higher than the national average, it’s still one of the most affordable and popular cities in Northern Virginia. Leesburg is also very safe, with crime rates 49% lower than the US average.

This historic city is known for its charming Old Town, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. It’s also located near the beautiful countryside of Loudoun County, which provides many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Tysons

Tysons is a modern city that has been rapidly developed in recent years, it has a variety of housing options and amenities with many restaurants, shops, and entertainment. With a population of just under 30,000, it’s ideal for couples that like the small-town feel and big-city amenities. You will also have excellent options for storage Tysons Corner offers should you need additional space in your new home.

Make the process of moving in a joyous event

Moving in with your partner is a beginning of a new phase in your life. Doing everything you can to make the moving process smooth should be your priority, but not before setting ground rules and boundaries to make your life together more enjoyable. All in all, the moving process will be behind you quickly enough. Moving in with your partner will offer you great joy. Finally, you can start your adventure together, and one of the first you can do is decorate your new household. Luckily, Northern Virginia is rich in big and small cities, ideal for a variety of preferences for both you and your loved one.