I’m originally from Washington State, but I am currently stationed here in Virginia (I’m in the Navy) to attend my C school and this will most likely be my permanent duty station as well.

We bought near the AF bases where we were stationed, as owner occupied houses, and we improved them as we lived in them. 

The reason why I bought in Hawaii, and not Orange county, is because I was stationed there while I was in the military.

I'm AD military and stationed in Hawaii for at least the next 6 years.

I have a 2 month old daughter.Im at the local gas stations filling up more than I am home.

Since we are building a spec house in San Clemente, CA, within a mile to the beach and Metrolink station, I was curious about the potential it would have as a VR (Vacation Rental) and pulled this off both VRBO and Airbnb for the summer months, and whether it would make sense for an investor.

The gas station still needs clerks, Wal-Mart still needs clerks, fred myers will  still need help ETC.

And soon It will have a rail line between Union station and the airport.

I'm stationed in Italy all I can really do is call a few banks for info.

There's a light rail station right through the area, with a bike path alongside it for easy access to downtown.