If you want to remodel the rental house do it, but not so much as a back up plan as a project to keep you busy. Don't think about it as a back-up plan for "you" so much as a back-up for both of you when you get older and need to live closer to town.
The reality is, we don't know what's going to happen (this is life and it gets messy). While contingency plans are fine, watch how you look at them. Are you putting negative thoughts (and energy) towards what you say you want (ie:M)? Back-up plans mean we expect to fail at what we attempt......
It's good that you have a C and friend you can talk to. I have a couple of friends I can talk with, but I find the responses I get from this board to be the most valuable.
