Strong admits he is still bitter at being booted out of Well after the club dropped into administration almost three years ago.
The 29-year-old, who was one of 19 players sacked by the Fir Park outfit, feared he wouldn't be able to provide for his family.
Thankfully, Hull City gave him a way out of a financial blackhole but his experience has taught him to never again take a contract for granted.
Now Strong is back in Scotland but before accepting the deal in West Lothian he admits every possible measure was taken to ensure he wouldn't be sacked again.
The stopper said: 'I spoke to lots of people about Livingston and everyone's very optimistic about the future of the club.
'I know people have big plans for them and hopefully we can carry them through.
'I think it's only natural I sought assurances after what I've been through. I've got a family and I need to look out for their best interests. It was one of the questions I asked.
'It was only on Friday that I found out about it and I had alot of things to consider. I've got a family now and it's hard moving away from them. So it was only on Monday morning that I came to a final decision.'
Strong was so convinced Livi, who are only now exiting from their period of administration, are finally on an even keel that he was delighted to sign an 18-month contract with the club on Monday.
The Englishman's agony,of course, didn't end when he left Motherwell.
After Hull he moved to Boston United but that too represented an unhappy time in his career as he struggled to settle in the remote Lincolnshire town.
Strong said: 'I loved my time at Motherwell, it was superb and I met a lot of nice people there. But the way it ended left a bit of a bitter taste.When I went back down south I enjoyed my time at Hull.
'However, then I went to Boston thinking things would have been different but they weren't, so the offer to come back here was just too good to turn down.'
Strong, who was joined by former Motherwell team-mate Eric Deloumeaux at Almondvale in beating Monday's transfer deadline, is set to make his debut in Saturday's Scottish Cup clash with Second Division Alloa.
He will be charged with shoring up a defence which has the worst record in the SPL this season.
However, after seeing out his spell with Boston as a makeshift striker he insists he would be ready to play anywhere for Richard Gough's struggling side.
Strong said:'I've played my last four or five games up front for Boston and I've actually really enjoyed it. I've been the target man and I think I've done a decent job for the team.
'The manager has brought me here as a defender but he knows I can do a job up there as well. Hopefully I can give him another option if needed.'
Meanwhile, Deloumeaux has opened fire on Coventry City for forcing him out.
The 31-year-old admitted he had no choice but to quit life in the English Championship after being dumped in the reserves by former Sky Blues boss Peter Reid.
Now, however, he's determined to strut his stuff in Scotland again and prove Gough was right to take a chance on him.
Deloumeaux said: 'I am very disappointed to be leaving but I had very little choice.
'I played at Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup and afterwards Reid said I had done well.
'Then I started against Leicester and he took me off at half--time but still said I did all right and that his decision was tactical.
'But he never put me in the team again.
'I said before Christmas that the busy festive period would be an important time for me and that if I didn't play then, I probably wouldn't get a game again. That has turned out to be right.
'I just feel I haven't been given a chance this season.
'Now I must look at playing first-team football again and trying to earn a new contract.
'I have joined Livingston until the end of the season and, hopefully, something will happen for me.'
Deloumeaux hoped he would get a second chance after Reid left City.
But new manager Micky Adams backed Reid's judgment.
He said: 'I was not happy with Eric's fitness and the way he was doing things so it was decided that him leaving was best for both parties.'