Moving to another country is a lot different than just travelling to one, and doing it for love tends to add a lot of unexpected pressure points to the relationship. Here are some rules to follow:
Don’t keep score
Keeping score about who has done what for whom in a relationship will inevitably end badly. Remember you did this for you both, not just for them.
Be honest and make deliberate decisions
Every “big” decision you make needs to be a joint one or this will never work. Making decisions about houses, cars, visa applications, and the immigration process is something you both need to be honest about and willing to compromise over.
Don’t harbor resentment
Being frustrated about having to learn a new language, and leave your job and family behind is totally valid. But you can’t use that excuse every time there is an argument; because that’s completely unfair to you, your partner, and your relationship.
Be open minded
There is an endless list of things that could weigh you down in a new country, but there are also a million ways you could fall in love with that place too. Change is hard for some people, but just give yourself the space and positive energy to let the changes roll in.
Think about their feelings, too
Moving in together is a big step for any couple. The actual ‘first time living together’ thing tends to be forgotten because of how big the whole ‘moving to another country’ thing is.
Remember you did this for you both
You may sometimes feel frustrated, annoyed, happy, excited, determined, and angry. The trick to getting through it is to let yourself feel every single one of those emotions because they are most likely completely natural.
