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I divorced my second husband 2 years ago. My ex-MIL ( not my daughters biological grandmother ) still send my daughter cards, postcards, presents, etc. She is and was her grandmother for all purposes for over half her life and will continue to be her grandmother. She still sends me birthday cards and texts too.

I think that is AWESOME! and What a blessing.
That is what should be done. Pure kindness...
I would say yes. Continue to make the children feel special despite the break-up.

Never get married and the divorce is for couples who made a wedding mistake by no being in love for real.

I am a single woman. Honestly do okay financially, I earn 6 figures, but living in an expensive area right now in Nebraska, U.S. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment but it’s not in the best condition, good location, costs $2,000 / month. I’d been living with my niece who’s a teenager but she’s moving out.  So thinking of downsizing. Found a studio apartment, super modern, high-rise on the 36th floor with great views of the ocean. It’s $1750 / month. Only $250 difference. I love it, but I’ll lose a ton of space. 
I know I have a deal on my 2 bedroom and thinking of buying soon so I am no longer renting. Hmm. Should I move or stay?

I say rent out the room .. why save 250 if you can rent out the room for 800??
I asked the landlord about repainting. He agreed. I think with that, I’ll stay. I may rent out the second bedroom to traveling nurses. Not interested in long-term roommates. And then stay here until I buy.

No way in hell would I ever live on a 36 floor even to see a ocean!! Thinking about that condo in Florida that came tumbling down.
Even if it’s a brand new building and not about to fall down. It is just that I’d love to live up that high by the 2nd flor only.

just because it is brand new would not make it any better to me, But this is my own personal thought!! No way.
 I am with you that's way to high up for me. Elevators break uh going to travel all those stairs? 36 floors means a lot of people ( whom you may not get along with) and maybe bugs. That's a lot of weight on the ground and a long long way to fall if it comes falling down. Studio's are meant for 1 person, no privacy.

Exactly!! No way I would ever feel safe that far up & living in it too.
If you never entertain friends or relatives go for the less expensive one. Hawaii unlike Florida is volcanic rock so buildings should be sound. In Florida they build on sand.

I'm sure it's fine but way to far in the sky for me.. I grew up in Chicago and have bern in highrise apartments and they sway in regular weather.

That is Not for me, but thank you.
Absolutely do NOT move if you’re going to be buying soon. You have furniture for 2BR. You’ll need that furniture for your new bought home.

I strongly agree.
Personally, I’d want the ocean views. We really don’t need a lot of space, and less space could mean lower utility bills if all else is equal. Yes!!! Win/win situation.

How long before you buy a place? A year or so? Then I say stay. If it's going to be longer then I say move and save the money for your new home. I'd rather have an ocean view over the space any day.

Depends on when you are buying. The cost of moving might be more than the $250 a month you would be saving.
I would stay! The loss of a lot of space and with only a 250 a month difference does not seem worth the trade off to me.

Some people say “Shoulda coulda woulda” buying takes time. A lot of time. I’ve been trying to buy for years. Move. This is a chance to dump unnecessary & unneeded items. Downsize! Live a bit for the now & enjoy those views! Why be in Hawaii without views!

If you’re buying soon, don’t move to a new rental. Moving is a big expense and a hassle, don’t put yourself through all that twice.

Buying is cheaper then rent usually, but homeowners have to pay for repairs that renters don’t have to. Otherwise you can purchase a home warranty fairly cheap. 

Home warranties and home insurance does not cover every thing
Replacement of a roof relating to age and standard wear and tear is not covered by a warranty or insurance and can cost anywhere from $10,000 up
Replacing a furnace or a boiler or a water heater are not always covered either. And they can cost several thousand dollars.
Repaving driveways…
Replacing appliances…
No these are not every day expenses, however, needing to cover the cost of them is a significant financial undertaking which many homeowners don’t prepare for
I personally would prefer to rent than to have to absorb those costs and have those costs wipe out any savings that I may have.

If you’re going to buy soon, I would not trade one rental for another now. If it were me, I’d start looking for homes for sale instead of other rentals. I know $250/month is $250 month but think of the cost of moving, security deposit, first and last months rent, you may never see your savings if you find a house to buy quickly. Happy hunting!

If you’re looking to buy soon i wouldn’t go through the hassle of moving to have to move again. Moving costs money and takes time plus it’s stressful. Not worth it.

Unless you rent in complex with an elevator that constantly breaks. It happened to me in a high dollar luxury apartment in Jacksonville, FL.. never again will I trust paying high rent guarantees dependable elevators.

If you can't rent the room out then maybe you should move because even though it's only $250 that you will be saving per month that adds up to $3,000 after a year which you can put towards your new home. Plus you can cut down on other spending and your utilities should go down which can also go toward the new home.

Stay and sublet one bedroom. Save that money for down-payment. Also ...
The 36th floor. That's hard with groceries etc. Best of luck to you. Id stay in the 2 bedroom and maybe find a roommate

Wouldn’t there be an elevator at 36 floors? I can’t imagine it would be only stairs.
I guess? I mean you always have to carry from the street to your apartment. 
Adding an elevator really doesn’t change or make anything worse.
 

To each their own.
It depends on her personal life and her finances for what she chooses.
But I will say I sold real estate ten years and have owned my home for 20. I now have not had a mortgage bc it’s paid in full for two years. I have saved ALOT of money even with paying 2 grand my insurance wouldn’t cover. Also not having a rent payment these two years.
If she decided to move she could sell her home and get back some money, you can’t do that when you rent.

When I was renting a house and my landlord was currently getting cost estimates to repair the driveway… Estimate $5000.
The past summer with crazy rain has shown a leak in the covered porch. He was going to end up having to have that re-framed minimum $10,000.
I recently needed my washer dryer replaced… His cost $1500.
And was going to need new carpet within the next couple of years. Again, he was the homeowner, his cost… Estimate 3 to $5000.
Yes to each their own, but again, many people do not factor these costs into home ownership until they have to deal with it

Make sure he pays it off. Take him off the card and really think about your commitment to someone who 1) doesn't have same financial values 2) would actually make a comment like "you shouldn't have added me". 3) keep ALL finances SEPARATE!
I'm really sorry you grew up that way, but the reason this bothers you (in my opinion) doesn't have much to do with that. I think you know RED FLAGS when you see them. Please, do not ignore them.

I’d stay. $3000 savings for the year lease will probably cost you at least half of that for a mover or maybe more. Plus you may need storage and then you’d have to move again when you buy. I’d just stay if it’s possibly only going to be a year before you buy.

I made the mistake years ago to move to a smaller place when my kids left for college. I loved in New Jersey. Paying for storage every month and street parking was nightmare. I eventually moved to Florida and downsized my belongings. My suggestion to you is stay where you are until you can buy a place, start decluttering now. You will be surprised of how much stuff you can let go. Best of luck to you