I think I'm the only person who really prefers renting to buying, but really there are advantages! Take a swing through Craigslist for Athens and check out all the 3-bedroom houses in your preferred school district under $1000 with screened porches and see if there's something you could live with. (ETA - checked - there's only one listed right now, but $725! I think about Boston prices and weep with envy) If the job turns out not to be a good fit, it'll be easier to pick up and move again in a year or two.