Hi Reddit,

I’m 22, and my boyfriend is 23. We’ve been dating for a year, and I’m trying to decide if I should officially move in with him. Here’s the full context:

• He lives with his grandma and dad; I live with my grandparents.
  
• I just started nursing school, so most of my time is spent studying and doing homework.
  
• I currently pay $1,000/month in rent at my grandparents’ house, but I’m not really living there anymore. I’ve been unofficially staying with my boyfriend for the past six months (I stayed over one night and just never left).
  
• If I move in with him, I wouldn’t pay rent—he’s offering to let me live there for free.
  
• I recently left a full-time job where I made around $4,000/month to focus on school. Now, I work a very part-time job and make $1,500–$2,000/month. Most of my income currently goes toward rent for a room I don’t use.
  
• I’m worried about not having enough study space since we’d be sharing one room, but he’s said he’ll do whatever he can to accommodate my school needs.
  
• His family is very welcoming and even encouraged me to move in, but I’m a shy person and not 100% comfortable around them yet. (I avoid going to the living room or kitchen if they’re in there)
• Our relationship is great—we never argue, communicate well, and unofficially living with him has been a positive experience so far.
  
• I would miss living with my brothers at my grandparents’ house, but they also support my decision and have encouraged me to move in with my boyfriend.
  

The catch: I talked to my therapist of two years about this, and she suggested that I don’t move in with him right now because of statistics and studies about couples moving in together too soon. I’ll admit, her advice got in my head, and now I’m questioning everything.

This feels like such a practical decision financially, but I’m nervous about whether this is the right time or if it could negatively impact our relationship in the long run.

I’d really appreciate any advice, especially if you’ve been in a similar situation. Thanks for reading!