When I was looking to buy, I started out looking at condos, but the more I researched, I ended up getting a single-family house (stand alone).
Whatever you choose to buy, be sure it's someplace that feels like home to you - then you know it's the right place. There are advantages to condos (less maintenance, etc), but there are cons as well. Most condos have a monthly maintenance fee you pay on top of your mortgage - be sure when planning your price range to keep that amount in mind as an extra expense. Research condo fees for your area to see if the fees at the place you are looking is normal (not too high or too low).
Other things to keep in mind, if you are planning to only stay there a few years then move - in general, condos have a lower re-sale compared with houses, so don't expect a big return. Plus houses are typically more in demand vs condos. This of course is a generality - there are probably areas due to the demographics that may even the playing field - again, do your research if your plan is a short stay.
Another tip I got from my mortgage lender is when it comes to condos, there is extra paperwork that goes into the mortgage. They need to research things like the condo's maintenance fund, emergency funds, percentage of the condo establishment that is sold. If they find the condo you want to live in has a low percentage of the units filled, it may cause issues with your mortgage. If you have your heart set on a condo - talk to your mortgage lender early so they can get working on the extras so you don't end up missing your offer due to the lender denying it.
Good luck with your search - hope you find the right place to call home!