I so totally apologize for my mistake in just assuming you have a partner in the purchase. I was such a diehard feminist when we started breaking all those barriers. Ironically, there are some fair housing laws that prevent discrimination against a single person in the housing market. Thanks to the other posters here for adding factors that would be huge if you would be doing this solo. You can still have someone else who is knowledgeable and knows you well help you make these decisions. I recommend that not to underestimate your abilities in any way, but as a way of taking some stress off you. Yes, a condo might be the way to go if you would do this solo, but then you must do heavy research into the financial health of the hoa , their rules called cc&rs, and be prepared for increases in their fees and possible additional assessments which can run thousands of dollars.