Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I’m really not familiar with SD neighborhoods. I chose Clairemont based on driving distances in case my husband is assigned to Camp Pendleton vice MCRD, but those other neighborhoods do sound like options. I will be working in San Diego. We can rent, but I’m afraid of being stuck in a one-year lease and missing a prime opportunity to buy. Does anyone see leases for six months on houses in the $2500/month price range? We didn’t buy when we moved to Virginia in 2002 and that was a huge mistake. I’m trying to mitigate my foolishness…