First Time Buyer Dilemma

[Jake Holmes]

Ok guys I am going to try and make question that has been on my mind this as simple as possible. Almost 3 years ago I took a job out of state in Iowa. Since it was a contract job, and rent is cheap here, I have rented since I got here. Well the time has finally come for me to move back to southeast Texas, where my apartment lease expired a week before I moved to Iowa. Coming up in May I will be moving yet again for another 3 year job in Charleston, SC. My dilemma now is, do I purchase a house in Texas now, and rent out while I am gone to work in Charleston? I have family that can take care of any inconveniences that occur while I am away. If I do decide to go that route, would it be smart to rent for 3 more years in Charleston? I am doing well for myself financially (much better than most other 25 year olds), and I have said since moving to Iowa, that I will never rent a place again, but it seems like I will be forced to if I go to the Charleston job. Would you say this is my best route? Is there other/better routes I am not thinking of?