Simple way to analyze a state/city for investing

[Mike Schelske]

I have been reading David Greene's  book on long distance investing. I am having trouble starting a good system for search criteria for cities to invest in, some say look at jobs, others say schools and the list goes on. Can anyone help make this very simple for me. What sites or numbers am I looking at, or more accurately I don't really know what I am looking for or at.