08-24-2013, 09:15 AM
Renting for at least 6 months in an unknown and new place is critical! Three different neighborhoods we considered buying in flooded when we first moved to Houston (1997). Another good idea is to check out a potential neighborhood that you consider buying in during the nighttime as well as day time hours. What good is the perfect house if you have neighbors from hell!? The upside of buying an acre or more is privacy like few places on the mainland can offer (unless you have a ton of money!). Best of luck and enjoy the adventure! So glad I live Hawai'i [8D]