Is Buying the Best Option for me?

[Jonah Bosma]

Hello BiggerPockets members!

My name is Jonah I am 22 years old and in the military. In February of 2021 I will be moving from Virginia to Jacksonville Florida for my next duty station, and I will be in Jacksonville Florida for about 4 years. My current dilemma is do I buy or rent? Some of my biggest fears of taking out a mortgage is debt! I have not had any debt ever and currently have about 30k in savings and 40k in mutual funds/investments. If I take out a mortgage should I put any down (using a VA loan) if I'm most likely going to move in a 4 years. OR should I not put any down and use that money to put it in some type of investment? If I rent it makes me not responsible for anything thats happens with the house/apartment, but I would be throwing away money.

I would love to buy a house, I love projects and home ownership is something I've always wanted to achieve. 

Thank you for any advice.