Divorce can be a messy process, and finding your own place after divorce can be extremely stressful. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be having to make the decision rather quickly. This can be exciting after years of living in an unhappy home, but it can also be one of the scariest things you will ever do. If you are looking for the best way to decide where you will live after the divorce, consider finding your own place using these six tips.
6 Tips for Finding Your Own Place After Divorce
Consider What You Can Afford When Finding a Place
Any time you are looking for a new residence — divorced or not — you have to consider what you can afford. Divorce is often expensive, and you may need to look for a starter place to get back on your feet. You also need to consider how you will pay your mortgage over time. You need to consider the differences between a fixed rate mortgage or an adjustable rate mortgage and know the pros and cons of each. It can be difficult to make these types of decisions on your own after years of depending on someone else’s opinion; however, having your own place can give you a lot of freedom.
Consider Staying Close to Your Children
When children are involved, divorce becomes a much different thing. You may have stayed in a bad situation for years just for your children. However, this is not always the best thing to do. Sometimes leaving a broken relationship is beneficial for everyone involved. However, when finding your own place to live, you have to consider where your children will be. If you have joint custody, you may still be required to live in a certain state so that the other parent can have visitation rights. Be sure that you know the laws about this before making any decisions about where to move.
Consider Your Job Situation
Perhaps you love your current job and would never dream of going anywhere else. On the other hand, maybe you have been dealing with unhappiness at work as well as within your marriage. If you do not love the place you work, you can consider this a fresh start in that aspect of your life as well. If you do not have children and are able to move away, you have the freedom to choose whatever career is best suited to you. You are no longer anchored to the expectations that your spouse may have had about your career, and this can open so many new doors for you.
Consider Proximity to Family
If you moved away from where your family lives to be with your spouse, you may want to return home to be closer to your siblings and parents. As you get older, you realize which relationships are really important to you. Your parents may be aging, and you may want to be closer to them to help care for them. Perhaps you have nieces and nephews that you would like to be closer to so you can watch them grow. While there is nothing wrong with moving somewhere that you are completely independent, you should consider all of your options when finding a new place to live.
Consider Proximity to Friends
During and after a divorce, you need a strong support system. You may have close friends who have gone through the same situation who are always there for you to rely on. You may have found a support group in your community that helps you cope with the new changes and challenges in your life. Consider your support system when making your decision of where to look for your own place. However, keep in mind that modern technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected to people no matter where you are.
Consider What Your Future Plans Are
When finding your new place, think about what your future plans might be. Do you plan to ever remarry? Do you want to have more children? Are you planning on remaining single for a long time? When you answer these questions for yourself, you are better able to choose a place that fits your desired lifestyle. If you are planning to live alone for the foreseeable future, you will not need a place as large as if you plan to start a family.
There are so many things to consider after a life change as important as divorce. It can be a difficult time for anyone, but with these simple tips in mind, you can face it with your head held high. Never be ashamed to reach out to your support system, and remember to take care of yourself through this time.
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