ytreas6,
Welcome to PREN and Congratulations on your upcoming Marriage!
I have good news with the power of the Internet at your finger tips you can research and explore the different areas of the country with a push of a button.
There are several sites out there to help you in this process...
The first thing I would recommend is to get yourself pre-qualified that way you know what to look for and how to narrow your search. Most Realtors will have either lenders they can guide you to or that again can be done over the Internet.
As far as safe areas or neighborhoods well there again you will need to due the research on the web for that as well by going to crime stats websites provided by many police departments throughout the country.
Just for your information it is against fair housing regulations and the code of ethics for Realtors to recommend safe and or good areas to live. They would also be assuming a lot of liability in doing so just as they would to recommend a school or neighborhood because of a school. If schools are of importance to you one site that other clients have said was a great resource is the GreatSchools.net website.
Hope that helps
