The thing that I would focus on if I were in your situation is to diversify the income streams of yourself and your girlfriend.

The investment location determines all long-term income characteristics including:Whether rents will keep pace with inflationHow long your income stream will lastHow reliable your income stream will beHow much of your rental income is lost to overheadWhether you or the government control your propertyThe process of selecting a reliable passive income location is simple.

Probably a couple years from making a move, but want to start evaluating whether it might make sense.Thanks for any input/experience.Salt air and constant stream of visitors is going to be harsh on your house regardless of obx or bb location. 

By owning income-generating properties, investors create a steady stream of passive income, freeing them from traditional jobs.

Oh I see renting...again check other rental listings in the local area to see what other landlords are offering but we only provide stove in our area...as a mom who does a ton of laundry and has kids, I don't want to use anyone else's w/d or fridge unless it is brand new so I allow my tenants to bring/buy their own or rent from me (extra revenue stream).

But from what I have heard and read, these are guaranteed payment streams. 

If/when I move to FL, there will be a due diligence period where I will be looking at various cash flow streams for an area and see which ones make most sense.

I am also in the Army National Guard, which is another stream of income.

While it's difficult to predict as to exactly when their problems will spill over into becoming your problem, it's fairly easy to predict that it will occur. 

There is a time and place for it, but you probably should not do this unless you have significant income coming in from other investments/income streams to cover the difference.