I would have to echo SD R as well and as recommended to the bay area person moving, you really can’t substitute renting for a year first to get a very good idea of what’s important to you and what areas are here.
Ultimately, you’d have to make concessions somewhere so being able to visit areas for lunch each weekend and just hang out and read the news, live life, etc…would give you a much better impression of what actually is important to you.
I have no knowledge of a ton of areas mentioned so others can share more, but since you may purchase and stick around the area for the next 15 years or possibly retire here due to the weather/comfort/more space possibly than NY, it’s worth it to rent and after you are here, get more detailed info of specific places you see/visit.
Sucks to move again of course…but still, leave most things in boxes and hire help and it’s pretty fast actually.
