Rent or Buy Advice

[xbritto 25]

When Josh moves over we want to get a house of our own. We are looking to move to NC, but we will get married here in Chicago.

I'm struggling to decide when to make the move out east. Do I go now, rent a place, get a job and find a house sorted before Josh moves over?

Or when Josh comes over around August time, we both move to NC right away. Rent, get me a a job. Then find a house?

Can't decide if sooner rather than later is better?

Thanks everyone.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

I don't know. Is there any reason why you want to move other than a want?

I couldn't imagine doing something so large as moving across country and looking to purchase a house so soon after doing all of this lol.

Even with my fiance coming here hopefully by the end of the year I went ahead and signed another years lease because I wanted to make sure we're stable financially before we even move to an apartment down the street.

[xbritto 25]

I still live at home with my parents in order to save up as much money as I can.

It's very expensive to even rent around where I live, so we'd been looking at NC because prices are much cheaper.

So we're just a bit stuck on what to do, and don't want to get stuck in the renting game forever.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I still live at home with my parents in order to save up as much money as I can.

It's very expensive to even rent around where I live, so we'd been looking at NC because prices are much cheaper.

So we're just a bit stuck on what to do, and don't want to get stuck in the renting game forever.

Assuming you don't have major ties such as an important job, school, etc; then IMHO, I'd say tpo move East with some time before arrival of Josh and prepare for arrival.

I would not buy house just yet, and instead settle with a job and a short term (6 month-1yr at most) place to live; then on arrival look for a stable place together.

The stress of someone arriving to the country is big enough to add a search for a job and a place to live, even temporarily

[templeton 120]

I don't blame you...We're moving to Charlotte/Huntersville next month

I agree with G&T though; whatever you decide, don't buy yet. That is something you will want to do together, and after you've had some time with each other. If you really want to get out there ahead of time, find a decent place to rent. This will give you a chance to get to know the area without committing to anything.

[mlh 93]

Unless you are very familiar with the area, I would recommend renting first, especially if you don't know where you (and ultimately he) will be working. That gives you some time to decide if you like the area and want to look for a house near where you rented, or you find out there's a better-fit area for you somewhere else.

[CowBoE 429]

For Buy or Rent question, it really depends on your lifestyle.

Buying is ideal if...

1) you tend to stay put in the same area for a long time

2) your job (or profession) will be stable in one location

3) you (and your spouse) can handle the financial responsibility

without burdening others (like parents)

4) you believe the housing market is stable or is in uptrend

5) you don't mind doing additional work on your house (which you don't have to do on rentals)

Renting is ideal if...

1) you like to move around to different locations

2) you (and/or your spouse) job (or profession) is not stable in one location

3) you like the flexibility to pick up and move to another city whenever you want

4) you believe the house market is still in downtrend

5) you don't like doing additional housework as a owner (like cutting grass, painting, fixing, etc.)

As for when to move?

I think its always healthy to fully engage spouse as much as possible

since both of you will be living in that place. it's important that both of

you can be happy at that place.

Also, I think it's a lot less stressful and can actually be fun

when you have a cooperating companion when looking at rentals or houses,

and doing the actual move and organization afterwards.

Finally, don't buy a home in a new area that you are not familiar with.

Rent there at least for one year, and buy afterwards once you

know the area well. In real estate...location, location, location is the king.

[Unshakable Faith 493]

Welcome to NC you guys!!

As others have suggested, come and get a job and rent something and get a feel for the area! Also, buying is not such an easy process and I'm sure it would be difficult for you to get approved (loan wise) if you've just moved here and just gotten a job.

I rented for a few years and then decided to buy the house I was renting. Usually renting is a lot cheaper depending on if you shop around well!

[TBoneTX 43,057]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Moving to the US & Your New Life forum -- topic is unrelated to the actual K-1 process. ***

[lala64 93]

Assuming you don't have major ties such as an important job, school, etc; then IMHO, I'd say tpo move East with some time before arrival of Josh and prepare for arrival.

I would not buy house just yet, and instead settle with a job and a short term (6 month-1yr at most) place to live; then on arrival look for a stable place together.

The stress of someone arriving to the country is big enough to add a search for a job and a place to live, even temporarily

I am struggling with some of the same issues. Moved in with my sister to save for a house. Thinking I would have time to look before he came. Now things are moving so fast I feel the need to search for a house so that when he gets here we can settle in. I also wanted us to look together but the problem is he cant stay with me in my sisters house. Most places around here require 6 months to 1 year lease and I refuse to give my money to yet another landlord and rather pay my money towards something that I will own. I am looking to buy in July and he should be here in August. Oh the pressure:) to top it off I may need to relocate to California for a job by years end. I hear you loud and clear. My rational for not waiting until he comes is that I want him and his son to move into a stable environment. Its going to be a lot to deal with for him culturally then to add fuel to the fire moving all over the country. Here in AZ its a great time to buy and if nothing else we can rent it out and let it pay for itself if we have to move to California. No way I would ever be able to afford a home there. Good luck to you and ask your fiancé/husband what he would like to do. Maybe that would help you to decide. My family is ok with my choices but I would like to live alone with him and not a family member too.

[hayesj6 1]

I'm waiting until after we get married to move. I want us to pick out a place together. We will be renting because we need to see where he will be working before we buy. We want to live in a central location to my job & his. I'm living with my mom to save money right now. He will be staying with me here until we get married. I would wait for him if you decide to buy. It would be a decision you two should make together.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

Tbqh, all those decisions should be made once your fiance/spouse is with you and you've been settled for a while. Once you're together and you've lived together for say a year and are stable financially and emotionally (as this is a stressful process), THEN look to move.

Don't forget, after you finish the K1 process and get married, you still get to AOS, and as you can see from these forums people have been having stressful times with getting their green card with up to a year wait. If you're looking to buy a house, it'd have to be based on you only as your fiance wouldn't have his green card and therefore -shouldn't- be able to qualify as a co-whatever. Plus I've heard buying a house as a green card holder has a few extra hoops to jump through.

K1 visa stress plus moving across country plus trying to find jobs plus doing his adjustment of status, you never know what could happen with all of that, it's not generally viewed as being that easy or stress free.

That said, I've showed my fiance which apartments I'd like to move into after this one. My lease here expires NEXT June in 2016, he should be here by the end of the year and we'll be making the move together. By then there's also always the chance that we may find a whole other place to live, but we'll be doing that together 100%.

Edited May 31, 2015 by Ash.1101

[Jawaree 717]

If you are definitely moving I say take a week & go scout the area & jobs & secure

a job and a reasonable place to set up for his arrival.After he arrives & begin

working you both can house hunt & make decisions, your plan requires lots

of money...do U have help to move to another state as in driving U Haul with your

car hitched to it then unpacking with U, do you have friends or family in NC to

catch your back in case of an emergency? Think on these things, read the NC

papers everyday & familiarize yourself with areas good/bad (to live) check out jobs

and entertainment scenes....good luck

[NikLR 13,220]

We personally waited a year. I kind of wish we hadn't as the house market changed dramatically in that year, however I would have been annoyed if he had bought a home without my input. I dont think the reverse was quite as true. Lol

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Waiting helps you find out the silly things that are important to the other that you wouldn't give a thought to. Also places where housing costs are depressed usually are the same areas where wages are the same or there aren't as many jobs to get into.