MOVING! Help me choose my next location.

[Andrew R.]

Hello BP,

I am an Active Duty O2-E and facing that magical time of year....TRANSFER SEASON. Searching for any input on the below locations from an investment standpoint. If you have any pros/cons on an area, know of great neighborhoods to look in, or want to take a crack at ranking these billets, anything helps! Researching all of these locations from an investment standpoint is a much larger task than I expected!

My wife and I want to purchase a duplex, tri, or quad to house hack using the VA loan. We need at least a 2br for ourselves and are looking for some forced appreciation in a B- to A+ community. Proximity to walking/downtown area a plus! Our next tour will be 3 years, and we are looking for a long term hold, requiring property management upon our departure.

Currently, we do not hold any properties. We had a quad deal in Norfolk that fell through at the last minute. I truly feel it wasn't meant to be and am grateful for the learning experience! Disappointed, but excited for the next opportunity.

To the list! (this is my current ranking based on location and job, real estate investing not considered)

1. New Bedford, MA

2. Fort Macon, NC

3. Santa Barbara, CA

4. Cincinnati, OH

5. Kodiak, AK

6. Ketchikan, AK

7. Wilmington, NC

8. Seattle, WA

9. Anchorage, AK

10. San Pedro, CA

11. Duluth, MN

12. Baltimore, MD

13. San Fran, CA

Thanks for your time and input!

Andy