I don't think that there is a certain amount of time to be looking for a house. When you find the one, you found the one. If it was the first house you looked at I would say you may want to continue to look, but it's not. As for people telling you to look outside the city for a house it is an idea, but in the end it really comes down to what you want and can afford. If you like the house, and you are sure it is what you want buy it and don't let someone talk you out of it. I bought my house in a matter of two weeks after I started to actually look at houses. I did look through around 40 houses though.

Best of luck

Morgan