Are there any STR investors/agents/ in New Jersey?

[Ruark Adam Barrientos]

I’m currently in the Military and travel pretty much Monday thru Friday. I own a few long term and just bought a long term/short term properties in Illinois and Pennsylvania. I plan on retiring in New Jersey and have begun thinking about investing in New Jersey. Does anyone currently advise against or for New Jersey? Do you own properties in New Jersey? What areas should I look to invest in? These are all questions I have. Also, would it make more sense to invest in say Florida due to the 0 state tax or another landlord friendly state? 

Also does anyone know of any investor/agent/property owner meet-ups in New Jersey? I would love to meet a group of like-minded people in the area and pick their brains.

[Jake Handler]

Ruark, I co host a REI networking meetup monthly in Morris County, NJ. You'll likely find all the people you're looking for at those events. I'll message you the link from the meetup app to stay in touch with scheduling.

As for the rest of your question, it's really difficult to say whether an entire state is an area to invest in or not.  Sure, there are laws at the state level that vary from state to state... but for anyone to say an entire state is a good/bad idea to buy in seems lazy to me.  I even believe that a city/town may be too broad of an area to make such a blanket statement.  There are pockets within each town that are typically more desirable than others.  Make a list of non-negotiables for your perfect investment property, and keep narrowing it down until you find a town that fits your goals.