One of the things I LOVE about renting is that we get to learn our new area without the commitment of buying weighing on us or the feeling of being stuck because of a mortgage. Renting has allowed us to saturate ourselves to see where our lifestyle really fits.

Do we want to be downtown or would we rather live in the “suburbs”? What stores are near us? Is it safe running in the area?

Even if you’ve lived somewhere all your life, I still think it’s important to evaluate when considering buying, and renting gives you the time you need to do so.

So get out, explore, and see where you like to be and what you like to do. Afterall, it might help you ignore the chipping paint in the bathroom:)

When I was growing up, I remember dreaming of one day renting a home with my husband.

False.  Who dreams of renting?

Usually, when I’m lolly-ing along in wonderland, I imagine having something of my own. Often I forget that having these things requires a plan and saving, especially when that thing comes with a large price tag.

When we married in July 2013, there was no question of whether we would buy or rent.  We were living in North Carolina while G finished his commitment in the military, and then we planned on relocating once he found another job. Easy decision: renting it was.

I still think about our apartment from time to time.  G did an excellent job of picking it out and met all three of my requirements: 1) clean 2) safe 3) preferably on the first floor so I wouldn’t have to carry furniture up stairs on move-in day.  While I was there I never really had feelings of discontentment with our space, because I knew it was temporary.

Fast forward to five months later: G was offered a job, we hurried down to our new city and looked at 8 different places in a 24 hour period.  Because of a few different things that I’ll talk about in the days to come, renting was once again our best option.

And now here we are.  Debt free {praise the Lord!}, loving our city, getting to know the areas we frequent, and all of the sudden I have a strong urge for us to buy, not because I’m unhappy with where we are, but rather, it just seems like the next thing to do.

But is that really a way to live? Always looking to the next thing to fill a void? I don’t think so. Instead, these last few months, I’ve we’ve put nails in the walls and opened our doors to welcome others into our home – even if it’s not our forever home.  And through it, I’ve started to find more joy and contentment.  I still look at listings on Trulia, but the urgency and void I once felt are lessening.   And slowly but surely, I’m becoming content to rent.