Parents' Guide to

Moving In

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Humiliating dating competition sends negative messages.

TV MTV Reality TV 2010
Moving In Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

MOVING IN features a young adult turning to his or her parents for help in deciding between two admirers. Each suitors is tricked into thinking that s/he are going to move in with their boyfriend or girlfriend for a romantic weekend. Upon arrival they discover that they are competing with one another for the same person. They also learn that they must spend the weekend living with that person's parents. For two days they must live by their rules, and perform tasks designed to humiliate them. At the end of the weekend, the suitor who most impresses gets a key to their front door, while the other is banned from the house forever.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The series offers a disturbing view of what some people consider appropriate behavior when it comes to dating and relationships. It also sends some questionable messages about how to appropriately guide young adults when faced with decisions about who to spend their time with.



Granted, some of the cast's reactions appear a bit orchestrated for the cameras. It is also hard to believe that the individuals vying for the chance to stay with their significant other would put up with some of the antics featured here. If the show had a bit more humor, it would feel more like playful fun, but with all the arguing and quasi-violence, the show sometimes takes a bitter tone. The biggest question here is whether a person who must turn to their parents to make this kind of decision for them should really be dating at all.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their guidelines for acceptable dating and relationship behavior. Is it appropriate to date two people at the same time without telling them? What kind of message are the parents on the show sending their teens about dating and relationships? Given some of the antics featured on the show, how real do you think this overall moving in experience really is?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: October 29, 2010
  • Network: MTV
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

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