Top Tips for the Temporary Move

Question: "It's only three months. Or six months. Or a year. How bad can it be?"

Answer: Truly, truly awful. You may need a temporary move because your career calls for a short-term assignment. You may be renting while you build your dream house. You may have relocated temporarily to help a close friend or family member.

Short-term moves can be more difficult - and can cost you more money - than a "permanent" move. Why?

First, many communities are designed for home buyers and vacationers.

When Geraldine Ferraro's son was sentenced to a year's probation on a drug charge, he was criticized for serving his sentence in a luxury apartment. His mother pointed out that there were simply no low-cost, short-term rental options in that wealthy community. I believe her.

Second, even when short-term options exist, they may be less desirable. College towns tend to offer short-term student housing and longer-term faculty housing. Short-term leases may be located in noisy student complexes or less desirable neighborhoods.

Informal leasing?

Sometimes you can lease from someone who is also going away. These situations can be ideal. However, you will be living among someone else's treasured possessions.

Jennifer rented a house in the midwest while the owners spent a happy year in Italy. "They claimed that all their furniture was antique, even though it wasn't. I had to tiptoe around their junk and they took all my deposit to remove the non-existent cat hair."

You may be asked to give monthly rides to a needy relative, water the plants or take care of the pets. Inevitably, the rides will switch to weekly, the plants will die and the pets will take their cues from the stars of the movie, The Incredible Journey.

I'd like to tell you to get everything in writing and refuse special requests, but you probably won't do it. I wouldn't either.

What can you do?

First, if at all possible, take a house-hunting trip. Spend a minimum of two full days. It will be expensive, but the alternatives are worse.

Second, visit at least three rental options, if indeed three options exist. If a friend or leasing agent shows you around, do not make any commitment, even if the friend tells you that the park is your only other option. The next day, get a local paper and explore additional options, by yourself or with another agent.

Often you will find that the first friend or agent was terrific and you can't do better on your own. Well, now you have built a relationship of trust and you're no worse off. But be ready for downside surprises too.

Third, try to find a month-to-month rental. Do not sign a full year's lease until you have absolutely ruled out other options.

Fourth, if you leave a security deposit, ask the landlord for references. Many landlords are honest, but others will realize you won't buy a plane ticket to file a claim for a $500 deposit. Explore your options if you find yourself in a dispute: Small Claims Court, Real Estate Board, Consumer Affairs agencies. Often the threat of a report will encourage a recalcitrant landlord to start thinking good thoughts about good karma.

Never say, "It's only..."

Regardless, I've learned not to say, "It's only a year," or, "It's only six months." Six months can seem like forever. Worse, you can lose large sums of money if you have to leave early or if you find your rental is not habitable. And you want to look back on your temporary move as a fun time and not a series of hassles.

If you enjoyed this article, you'd really like my weekly ezine. You''ll get two Special Reports as a bonus when you sign up.

The best resource for moving: My book, Making the Big Move. Now available for instant download.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" http://www.cathygoodwin.com

Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

green cleaning service Park Ridge ..

In The News:

Take control of your digital privacy with actionable tips like Facebook privacy checkup, location tracking management and data removal services to protect your personal information.

Smart TVs and streaming devices manufactured in China are being compromised by BadBox 2.0 malware before users even power them on; infections have been detected in 222 countries.

The lightweight, 15-pound Tenniix tennis robot mimics pro playing styles like Nadal and Federer, using AI trained on 8,000 hours of professional tennis data.

Oak Ridge's uranium enrichment facility supports America's AI ambitions amid concerns that China's aggressive nuclear reactor construction could give it an edge in powering data centers.

Facebook scam ads now leverage AI and deepfakes to create convincing celebrity endorsements, targeting specific demographics with sophisticated schemes.

Apple unveils iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe and iPadOS 26 with translucent Liquid Glass design at WWDC 2025, featuring ChatGPT integration as competitors advance rapidly.

The Atom Touch prosthetic arm combines an AI neural interface with EMG sensors, allowing amputees to control individual fingers with precision at an affordable $25,000.

Aspen officials aim to have crews on the scene within five minutes — something they say would be nearly impossible without precise location data the AI technology gives.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says iPads are usually secure, but hackers can access them. Spot warning signs early to protect your data.

Tech expert Kurt Knutsson reveals how to easily move photos and videos off your iPhone or Android to securely protect your favorite moments.

The Social Security Administration is launching digital SSN access this summer. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to use it and protect your identity.

Glide underwater with CudaJet and make the ocean your playground. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses the redesigned tech that might be your next big thrilling adventure.

Protect yourself from login alert scams with five security steps, including avoiding suspicious links, checking account activity and enabling two-factor authentication

Skip the usual Father's Day gifts with personalized ideas for tech enthusiasts, home brewers, pool owners, seniors, outdoor lovers and privacy-conscious dads.

DMV text scam alert: Fraudsters impersonating motor vehicle departments nationwide are sending threatening messages about unpaid tickets and tolls to steal your information.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

E-BAR, MIT's mobile robot, provides physical support for seniors with handlebars that follow from behind, helping prevent falls while maintaining dignity for aging adults.

AI is changing everything – now, we can even use it to generate video. I tried OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo – here's how they measure up against each other.

Five simple phone setting tweaks that make your device work harder for you, from automatic text message deletion to scheduled focus modes.

Android users can save time with 10 simple automations, including automatic battery saver mode, location-based Wi-Fi settings and scheduled "Do Not Disturb" mode.

Personal information from 364,000 people was compromised in a LexisNexis data breach that went undetected for months, highlighting privacy risks.

The Phantom 3500 jet features a windowless design that reduces drag and structural weak points, burning 50% less fuel than conventional business jets.

An Adidas data breach through a third-party vendor exposed customer details like emails and phone numbers, raising concerns about phishing and identity theft risks.

Nurabot, an AI nursing robot, helps Taiwan hospitals address nurse shortages by performing tasks like medication delivery, allowing nurses to focus on patient care.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Google has expanded its privacy tool to easily remove personal information from search results.

Top Tips for the Temporary Move

Positive Attitude Tips