Moving to a place where you can have a dog sounds exciting. I have three pets, the two dogs being rescues. The only thing I should warn you about, is that you can find yourself focusing on the pets rather than human interaction. My pets give me a lot of love, but I also abstain from travel and social opportunities because of them. I really can't afford boarding costs for travel and leaving them for an extended period, nor would I trust a pet sitter. I've gone away in the past and they've gotten sick, with the pet sitter not being as available as I had understood that they would.

I don't want to discourage you from getting a dog. But, taking care of a dog is a big commitment, financially and emotionally. I have a hard time keeping up with vet bills and grooming. Just something to consider.