If there's ever something you need down here in the Provo area feel free to reach out to me. 

Another thing I see is on your map of areas to buy: the northwest ( Providence/Sky Canyon and summerlin (Red Rock area) are some of the most expensive properties in this valley for an investor to seek.  

Google "REIA Provo, Utah" Or another major city close by.

Fresno has the Sierras going for it - Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, etc.  

Let's a look...https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2337-Canyon-Creek-Dr_Stockton_CA_95207_M13512-32217A remodeled home more than twice the size of the Oakland property, and in a gated community too.

Life on the mean streets of Provo, UT is probably not the south side of Chicago...but I imagine (hope) that even the Provo PD has better things to do with their time and money than to stake out a couple of college-age stoners.  

Love Edgewood, great spot of grabbing a drink/food...not to mention beautiful facilities/grounds (especially in spring/summer)Mott Canyon Tavern & Grill ive been once, great little spot which is right by where you are staying (kingsbury grade). 

And there's so many variables aside from just the water itself, like politics in multiple states, multiple potential failure points (Lake Mead/Hoover Dam, Lake Powell/Glen Canyon, etc), water rights of multiple competing stakeholders with often conflicting agendas (upper basin vs lower basin, farmers vs commercial non-farm users vs residential users, etc.) then there's the Department of the Interior which has ultimate authority over the Colorado River. 

This midcentury modern bungalow on a wooded lot in Laurel Canyon, was purchased by DeGeneres for $1.3 million in 2004.

welcome David and DustinLook on meet up, there are a couple of groups in our neck of the woodsAlso icforeclosures.com has meetings almost every thur in canyon parkLook me up if you go