Moving Away for a Fresh Start Like Jacqueline Laurita Can Be Life-Saving

Jacqueline Laurita spent much of her life in Nevada, and has now returned back to the state for a positive life change.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum had her daughter Ashlee Holmes Malleo there, then relocated to New Jersey with Chris Laurita in the early 2000s.

“Today, I watched my family get on an RV to move back across the country to Nevada,” Ashlee captioned a photo of Jacqueline’s RV leaving NJ. “This time, I won’t be joining them on the adventure. Ending this chapter of my life has been incredibly difficult for me, but I could not be happier for my family and their new beginnings. I don’t know if I’ll ever end up back West. For now, my story is meant to continue here in New Jersey... but you bet your ass I’ll be visiting!”

Jacqueline had shared her goodbyes with her friends on Instagram this week, saying: "Saying Goodbye to friends when you move across the country is never easy, so I would just like to say, 'See you soon!' Thank you all for coming to see me before I left. It really meant a lot to me." 

She included a video slideshow featuring Dolores Catania, Kathy and Rich Wakile, and Kim DePaola, aka "Kim D."

In May, the Lauritas had lowered the price on their Franklin Lakes, New Jersey home that was for sale. Listed for sale in early April, the home's lower asking price was $1.85 million. 

Therapist Jason Eric Ross told Personal Space that after enduring difficult life events, people often debate moving away.

"However, is it a smart move or a geographical cure?" he asks. "The latter doesn’t work. People have to ask themselves, 'Am I just running away from my problems?'"

"If the answer is yes, you’re running (and maybe again), a move is not advised. Staying put and taking a deeper or first look at your issues is warranted then. Too many people make the excuse they need to leave and it becomes a pattern for them. This leads to self-loathing and little to no personal growth, combined with lots of interpersonal conflicts."

But if you're not just running away, moving can be therapeutic. It can really help financially and emotionally. 

"Moving to get away from unhealthy people or situations is worth considering after a divorce or a bad relationship or a financial hardship sometimes," Ross said. "It can be a good thing if handled mindfully. It may help you to reassess your values and goals which is quite significant. Best to discuss it with someone whose opinion you truly value, not someone who gives you lip service."

Many people move if they are bored, stuck in a rut, or just hate their job. This may help you understand if you or a loved one are moving for the right reasons.