When two people make a commitment to each other, they generally have a certain set of expectations. Some couples look forward to the opportunities of a mobile society, but other couples might have no intention of ever leaving their home town. If the chance to move elsewhere is presented, they have to decide what they will do. If one partner wants to go and find a better life, the other must agree to go or end the relationship.
There are times when a couple can work out a long distance relationship, but refusing to make a permanent move for a partner’s career or life needs is often seen as a rejection. The person who has a reason to go wants their partner with them, and their refusal to move is an obstacle. They see it as controlling behavior, and they suddenly feel stifled. It can cause them to reevaluate their relationship, and they might decide it is time to end it.
The partner who refuses to move has an uphill battle of their own, and it begins with the displeasure of their loved one. They will probably resent being asked to move at all, and they will sense the same feeling in return. Staying in one place for their entire life might be a wish, but it might also point out their fear of new places. They must dig deep and find the reason they are refusing to move.
Partners can work out these types of issues in their relationship, but each of them must work hard to understand what motivates the other. If they can find the root cause and work around it, they are more likely to have a better relationship in the future. If it is simply a matter of choice, the relationship could eventually disintegrate due to unexpressed anger between them.