You may be dreaming of a wedding in the near future, while your partner sees living together without a legal commitment in your future. Before you make the plunge of living together, talk to your partner about what each of you ultimately want out of the relationship - and when. Talking about if and when both of you want to marry and how you will handle daily matters like bills and chores can signify that living together could be a success, according to the TwoofUs.org article, "Thinking About Living Together?"

Though the time frame may vary depending on the couple, it may be ideal to date for at least six months before living together, according to Marshall Miller, founder of the Alternatives to Marriage Project. During the first several months of a relationship, couples are still getting to know one another and they may not be paying attention to a partner's flaws.

If you have children, it may also influence how long you date before you move in together. Children in cohabiting households are more likely to see parents and partners split than children living with a married parent, according to the TwoofUs.org article, "The Impact of Cohabitation on Children." Waiting until you feel your relationship is serious and committed before moving in together, and having the intent to marry, may make for better outcomes for children living in cohabiting homes.

Other factors can also influence whether the time is right to live together. If you often go several days without seeing one another or your disagreements escalate into shouting and name-calling, it may be wise to postpone living together, according to Dorian Solot and Marshall Miller, in their article, "Ten Ways to Improve Your Chances for a Good Marriage After Cohabitation." If either of you believe that living together will change something about your partner, or that a partner will eventually change her mind about getting married, it is also wise to postpone or avoid living together.