A rental year is still the low-risk option when you barely know the city. Districts look very different houses for sale in budva August and apartments for sale in mersin February, and nearby construction only becomes obvious with time. One rental cycle is far cheaper than unwinding a bad purchase.
Ownership becomes reasonable over a long enough period. Transaction costs are considerable, so a brief posting seldom covers them. The standard advice suggests a horizon of several years before buying beats renting.
Borrowing locally affects the decision significantly. Foreign buyers frequently meet stricter lending terms and less favourable rates than domestic buyers. Where local lending is unavailable, the purchase turns into an all-cash transaction, which alters how the money could otherwise be used.
A rental preserves flexibility. A job change, a family situation or a regulatory change is manageable with a notice period, as opposed to an exit that depends on finding a buyer. Where the market is illiquid, the ability to leave quickly has real value.
Ownership gives things a lease does not: protection from rent increases, blizikuce real estate the freedom to renovate, and an asset that can grow in value. In certain markets, being an owner also supports a residence application. A realistic conclusion in most situations is renting while you learn the market and buying afterwards.