Second on the rent idea. Also, if you're planning on public schools you can tell a lot about an area based on school ratings (probably obvious). Take a look at redfin and click on each school to see it's district. For instance, fayetteville is not known to be a target by many, but if you look at the starrs mill school district it includes some of brooks, ptc, and fayetteville and this "area" is very nice.