Changing my name during travel nursing after wedding.

[NurseRies]

So here's my dilemna. Help or suggestions appreciated.

For the last 2.5 years, I have lived and worked in South Carolina, a compact state. I am about to take a 6 week break from work, get married, go on my honeymoon, and then start travel nursing after all that. I am putting my things in storage in Ohio, where both our parents live. Ohio is not a compact state. So, my temporary address will be in Ohio for those 6 weeks, but I am technically a permanent resident of South Carolina.

So I claim primary residency in South Carolina, and I can travel to other compact states without problem. But when I want to change my name, post wedding, I will have no permanent South Carolina address. So how will I change my driver's license? If I get an Ohio driver's license with my new name, will Ohio then become my primary state of residence and I will not be able to travel on to other compact states? I am a renter in South Carolina. I plan on coming back when I finish, but I am just keeping my stuff in Ohio. I am so confused as to what I should do!!

My first assignment will hopefully be in Colorado (a compact state), should I wait until I work there and then change my name, get a driver's license in a compact state, etc? Anyone who has been in this stressful, sticky situation?

Thanks!

[NurseRies, BSN, RN]

Ned, I have re-read your comments and appreciate your advice very much. You seem to know so much about travel nursing and I truly appreciate your advice. We are now considering buying a condo in South Carolina. Maybe before the end of the year. We talked a lot about how being taxed on the reimbursements and paying $1,000 a month on a mortgage (or maybe more) wouldn't be that much different and it's an investment. We have emotional ties to the area and would probably frequent there several times a year. It is a generally inexpensive state. I also have two different jobs that said I could pick up prn shifts anytime I want. Since its by the beach, 10 years from now when it's paid off (worst case scenario 10 years), we will have a great vacation home for family in Ohio. We may also consider renting it out.

Sounds like a good investment in several different ways to me. Now to try to tackle first time home ownership! Ahhh! We are going to wait for the right thing to come along and try to put 1/4 to 1/3 of it as a down payment. Thanks for all your help. Any thoughts?

[NedRN]

Great plan! And South Carolina is compact. In an ideal situation, I would suggest paying a smaller down payment. Interest rates are still historically low and have no where to go but up. Get a fixed rate. I say this not because I recommend a lot of debt (pay cash for a house if possible) but because it is better to have 6 months of mortgage payments and living expenses in the bank. Because you never know what may happen.