I've been itching to get a place for a while now, and my friend just asked me if I want to move out in October. I understand that housing isn't technically an investment, but with roommates paying you, it is.
So even if you did get this place, are your friends guaranteeing they'd stay with you for X amount of time? Red Flag!!! What happens if you don't do well as room mates despite being friends and they bail? Often happens. You're stuck with a BIG payment potentially all by yourself. And finding new room mates is hard. Your 'friends' want you to do all the heavy lifting. Easy for them to say move out, not so much for you. you're the one with the cement shoes on.
Also, what if the roof leaks, the foundation needs a repair, the fridge breaks down or any of 100 little things need maintenance? Would you be able to cover those expenses? I had a friend just have a $10k basement/sewer repair. She sure wasn't expecting that
Also, have you added up taxes, water, electricity, gas, insurance, cable, internet, etc etc etc into those estimates? You only got a few of those covered in your estimates. That's a huge cost to most places even if split. Its not just the mortgage to worry about.
Also with you not being sure you'll even be working in that city when you are done your program that's another huge red flag. all this for only 18 months? Red flag again. Stay at home, wish em luck, and save your money for when you're done your program and find a job in which ever city you want then look at a house when your job is stable