Also how stable the area is and appreciation potential (crime rate, school quality, vacancy rate, population growth, job growth, etc.).

Being in a commercial shop right out of school means you'll be thrown into an environment that offers a lot of upwards growth & mobility.

Look at the school district--the higher rated the district, the better for holding value and stickiness of tenants, plus appreciation over time.Secondly, you'll want to make sure there is a net in-migration of working and professional folks to keep the local economy perking along.Good luck, keep investing and moving forward! 

Based on my research, in Pittsburgh, the school board tracks sales of homes and if there is a significant discrepancy between sales price/current assessment values, they will appeal and you get a higher tax bill.

If you are great at Calc or some subject in school and a rando freshman sent a message to school asking for free tutors to snap them so they could receive free guidance would you think lots of people would reach out?

I cannot househack due to family reasons and I like the school district that I live in.

I bought my first place when I was your age and in grad school because it was cheaper to pay a mortgage than rent.

As you've written, it's a great system for the schools and the corps.

I had a step-son who went to school at SFSU, there were occasional days of pleasant weather, but never like good ole San Diego.CA with crap weather sounds about as close to hell as we will find in this life. 

Plus 3 hospitals, colleges, nursing schools, etc.