Also good to consider what the insurance costs are and how they are increasing in places having the highest risks from major storms like hurricanes. Several older threads mention the issue in Florida when some insurance companies stopped offering coverage and the ones remaining have significantly increased rates. Whether or not you think global warming/climate change is real, insurance companies base their rates on actual claims as well as the potential for future major storms. Owning somewhere with the idea of renting doesn't change the fact that insurance rates will likely rise significantly (or coverage harder to obtain) in areas where there is the greatest risk.