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Here's everything you need to take into account before you take that step.

Just moving in with your boyfriend is a big step mentally, emotionally and financially. Moving in with him and moving to another country … well, that ramps things up to a whole different level! Here’s how to handle this biggie.

Planning 101
Define your relationship. Do an emotional inventory. Make sure you are both on the same page and ready to make this step. It’s definitely more of a hike up the commitment ladder - it’s a bit like marriage. Have you thought about that? Are you really both ready for this or is one of you pushing for it more? You need to make sure that you communicate with each other and are open about where you believe your relationship is currently at, and where you foresee it growing. Emigrating is a big enough step of its own, without adding in a layer of relationship doubt and insecurity into the mix.

The right reason
You need to take some time out to really examine why you’re considering such a big step. Is it because you can’t envisage life without him, you don’t want to lose him, you feel you’ll die if you’re apart? These are all understandable and valid emotions if a) you know he feels the same way and b) you are excited by the possibility of living in another part of the world and know it’ll be a crazy love-filled adventure that you’ll probably reminisce about in your twilight years. If you don’t want to move but don’t want to lose your man either, then you’re in for some serious decisions. It’s not enough to simply want to be with a guy when you uproot your whole life and support network. You need to see that there’s something in it for you. It needs to be a partnership where the gains are balanced. You may be in love but how far does that love take you when you’re miserable and alone in a foreign country?

Money talks
Consider finances. Apart from infidelity, the second crusher of romance and love is money. Seriously. Four out of five marriages end in divorce because they couldn’t resolve financial drama. So if you going to be moving in together or into a place of his, you need to have the money talk. How are you going to divide living costs? If neither of you have a job, how will you support yourselves? Have the money talk before you leave, draw up a budget and make sure you’re financially prepared. Having good lines of communication when it comes to matters of money will stand your relationship in good stead for the future.

Follow your heart
When all is said and done, life is all about taking risks and living for the moment. Trust your intuition and let your heart guide you. Then, take a leap of faith.

Main photograph: istockphoto.com