I don't know anything about Gulfport and Biloxi since the hurricane (well, I knew a lot about it after Camille), but my wife and I have lived in 19 places in 44 years of marriage, so we know lots about moving. Here's some of what we learned, some of it the hard way.

1. Think temporary, feel permanent. You don't know enough about the area to know where you want to live long-term. This strongly suggests renting for a year and using the time to explore. At the same time, feel permanent by hanging up your pictures as soon as possible, having curtains, even if they are just sheets stapled up, and having things around you that you love. Renting is going to be tough at your age because you are going to be thinking about starting a family before too long (time flies) and there is a real temptation to want to be settled in your own place. The economics of renting make more sense right now in many places.

2. If you have been in a church, find one near where you live. Be pleasant and polite and allow yourself to be welcomed, but you may not be going to this church forever. Or it may be the reason you decide to stay in the area where you first land. Same thing with neighbors and with local shops. You may spend a few more dollars doing your shopping at some place other than a Big Box, but you will appreciate the friendly faces when you shop where people remember you.

3. Don't compare the new place with home. It will be better in some ways and worse in some ways than where you came from. Think of it as a grand adventure where you get to try out a whole new life without much in the way of risks. No, you don't have your family and friends from home, but you have the opportunity to make new ones.

4. Recognize that change is the only thing that doesn't change. Love Gulfport/Biloxi or hate it, if your husband works for Big Pharma, you are going to be moving again -- and again. Be glad that you work (or seem to) in a field where you can easily get a job.

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice! I will def keep an open mind. I like the idea of thinking temporary but feeling permanent. Good advice.

I'm probably posting this too late . . . but look at Ocean Springs.

It's on the other side of Biloxi Bay, just over the Biloxi bridge. It's a very cute town with a lot of great neighborhoods, basically a very pleasant suburb of Biloxi with a nice small town feel. Otoh, because it's the most desirable town on the coast (or one of them anyway), prices are a little higher there, but still quite reasonable.