Is now a good time to get a puppy?

Question
Hi Labman,
I've been looking to get a new dog for quite a while now. I just recently moved back home and am currently living in a very nice suburban area in a fairly big house with a large yard. I thought now would be the best time to get and raise a puppy because I am working from home and have a lot of free time. The only thing I am worried about is some time in the next 5 to 6 months or so, I plan on moving to LA for work. I've read that a change from suburban life to urban life can be tough on a dog, but I feel like it would be a lot harder to raise and train a puppy in the city while I'm working. Any thoughts? I'm still looking at what kind of dog I want to get (one from a rescue shelter, hopefully) but I'm keeping in mind that eventually they will be living in a somewhat urban environment.

Answer
Puppies can be very time intensive, and housebreaking goes best where you have quick access to outside.  If you get a puppy, it might be best now rather than when you are in an apartment.  Urban areas are more likely to have diseased dogs ready to infect your puppy before its shots do any good.  

If you start with a rescue, they sometimes require some extra time until they adjust to their new home.  It really looks like you should get the dog now and hope it adjusts to the urban area at the time.  

One last point, apartments allowing dogs are harder to find.  some of them have size restrictions, so you may want to look at the smaller breeds.  Giving an unknown rescue time to finish growing could avoid problems too.