Divorce is never easy for a couple, especially when it comes to one individual moving out of the family home.
In their haste to find bunking arrangements, many separated individuals worry about burdening friends and family, yet they don’t want to live in a stark hotel nor buy a new home so quickly. So is a divorcee to buy, rent, or move in with his or her parents?
I met a man a few years ago who had become separated from his wife. He rushed out to buy a condo and spent thousands of dollars furnishing it too. A few months later, he reconciled with his wife and was now stuck making payments on a furnished condo.
Another individual I met told me he had been living in his parent’s house for months — a humbling experience for a man in his 40s. He later moved to a hotel and told me the white walls, florescent lights and noisy guests made him feel worse about the situation, reminding him each and every day about his divorce proceedings.
What is Corporate Housing?
The scramble to find housing can actually be quite simple if a divorcee knows where to look first. The little-known world of corporate housing can provide the perfect home for a divorcee to hang his or her hat until the dust settles.
Simply put, corporate rentals are furnished residential properties that are rented out on a monthly basis.
Corporate housing is typically utilized by business travelers and relocated families. Most corporate rentals are available for month-to-month leases and they are located in residential areas or condo buildings. Each furnished rental includes a fully stocked kitchen (complete with dishware and pots and pans) as well as bedding, linens, cable TV and all the creature comforts of home.
The Housing Haste: Dos and Don’ts
If you’re going through a separation with a spouse and are looking for housing during the divorce proceedings and post-divorce transition, consider the following dos and don’ts when deciding where you should call home, even if only for a few months:
Don’t…
…Rush.
Don’t rush into buying a new home or condo. Divorces take time and require a lot of ironing out of details. The worse thing a newly separated person can do is buy a home. Doing so puts into question whether the home is owned by both parties and part of the divorce settlement. It also ties you down to a place without knowing where you need to live long-term, your custody situation with your children (you may need more or fewer bedrooms depending on if your kids will stay with you or your ex), etc.
…Burden Friends.
Chances are if you’re bunking with friends, you will wear out your welcome very fast. Not only will you be an unexpected roommate, you probably won’t be the easiest or happiest person to live with.
…Sign a Long-Term Lease.
Most traditional, unfurnished rental properties require a 12-month lease agreement “ but do you know what the next few months will hold? Don’t commit to any long-term lease agreements. Plus, if you rent an unfurnished property, you’ll need to spend time and money furnishing the property, which is a headache all in of itself.
…Hotel It.
During an emotionally difficult time, the last thing you want to do is to live out of a suitcase in a small hotel room. You’ll be eating fast food, staring at white walls and living among transients “ not to mention paying a pretty penny for day-to-day living. Even extended stay hotels emit a transient vibe that can make you feel worse about your situation.
Do…
…Find Temporary Housing.
Corporate or furnished rentals can be a great alternative for a newly separated individual for several reasons:
- They are fully furnished, so you can move right in and worry about nothing.
- They require only month-to-month commitments, so there’s no need to commit yourself for a year or more to a place when your situation can change in a heartbeat.
- They are located in residential areas so you’re not surrounded by a transient community. You can even be in a neighborhood near your old house, easing the transition for you and your family (especially if you have school-aged children).
- They have full-sized and fully stocked kitchens — no living out of a hotel’s mini bar.
- They provide all the creature comforts of home, which means no feeling bad about yourself!
Beginning the Search for Long-Term Housing
Once the divorce is near final, begin to seek out long-term housing solutions. After some time on your own you’ll be more educated on where you want to live and what kind of accommodations you’ll need (number of bedrooms, school district, etc.)
Remember there’s no rush when it comes to finding new housing after a divorce. Get your affairs in order before making any long-term commitments that you might later regret.
