Long Distance Relationships - Things to Think About

Nearly everyone has a computer these days. Computers and the Internet are tremendous social tools. If you can't find someone who you're compatible with in your location,you can look throughout the entire planet via the Internet. With Internet chat and video conferencing, you can get up close and personal with another person. However, BEFORE you go and fall for someone a few hundred or thousands of miles away, there are somethings you need to consider.

How well do you REALLY know him or her?

I agree that you can get a reasonably good indication of a person's personality over the Internet and on the phone, but do you think that qualifies for knowing the person really well? Who knows, perhaps she's a gold digger and has ripped off financially secure men for years via the Internet. Maybe, he has a history of getting women to fall for him over the Internet, moving out there, moving in with them, an using them for sex, a place to stay, a car to drive and bleeds them dry financially. It's not a bad idea to do your best to acquire his or her social security number and full name. You should check their criminal history AND there credit rating. I know that's pretty personal but if you see things getting serious, that's personal too. Do you want to get with a guy who did 90 days in the penn for beating up his ex wife? Do you want to get with a woman who has filed bankruptcy and has a credit score of 425 when your score is 750? It may cost you a bit of money but it's a good idea. A criminal background check and credit rating check will tell you a LOT about a person.

Are you or are they prepared to move?

As with any relationship, you meet, you date, you get to know each other, you get serious, fall in love, get married, have a family and live happily ever after. It's pretty much the same way with a long distance relationship. If the person you're having the long distance relationship with lives far away, are you prepared to move to that city to be closer to them? If you're happy where you are and pretty set where you are, is the person you're in the relationship with prepared to move to YOUR city? This is important. Don't loose your head. Be realistic. A relationship cannot survive hundreds or thousands of miles apart. At the least, it will be very difficult.

If.......

If you end up moving to their location or they end up moving to your location, don't rush things. Seriously, don't go getting married two months after you arrive in their location. (Or vise versa) Now that you can SEE each other and be in each other's presence consistently, use this time to get acquainted on an advanced level. This is where you will get to know the person the best. Wait for at least a year but no more than two years of being physically together before you get married.

That's pretty much it. I'm not saying that a long distance relationship can't work. You just need to take these things in consideration before you get involved. Good luck.