Choosing Massachusetts or Rhode Island? (Boston vs Providence)

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Hi everyone. I grew up in East Providence, RI and currently live in Medford, MA. I, like most investors, am trying to maximize my return, minimize my risk, and grow my business. However, I am having an issue with deciding which market I want to really settle in, and I need the communities help with this one.

I am looking at all of this through a buy and hold cash flow approach of 2-4 unit multi-families. While Boston seems to be constantly "booming", I am afraid of very low ROI. Providence on the other hand offers a little better ROI due to extremely low prices, but is known to be not tax friendly and, on the surface, doesn't seem to have much growth potential. There are many conflicting views on the internet as well with both cities, with some sources saying Providence will turn into a hot market.

I would love anyone to offer their two-cents, personal experiences, and any other knowledge on this matter.

My other question pertains to research. What is the best approach to researching these particular topics in real estate? What are some red flags in a market, and is any market in general considered safe to invest in as long as they don't have any big red flags?

Thank you all in advance!