These can range from city apartments, beach or lake-front houses, to near big tourist attractions, anywhere that people are keen to visit.

Those folks want tourists coming in and will not tolerate the garbage that goes along with gangs, they have there way of dealing with those that do not listen, LOL.

The guests that we got when renting out a single bedroom were generally tourists passing through.

I'm not betting on it, but I also think this area is growing as it's close to a lot of business and tourist investment and Florida just approved $$ to renovate local state parks (walking distance to a tourist attraction).Last, my W2 pay is solid and ~ $8300 a month, but I get stock vestments 2x a year, so in November I'm set to receive ~$40-45K more after taxes which will alleviate any reserves concerns.My biggest questions is what to do if I run into problems with the loan, if they are worried about the reserves post DP and closing costs.

I live in the wine country (probably too far - about 45 minutes with light traffic - light traffic in Portland would be weekends and off hours -to downtown Portland) but the rules are relatively easy to work with in many of my local communities which attract a lot of tourists. 

my schtick is to find a reasonable tourist town with affordable housing.

Most chambers of commerce websites, if the chamber is active, will have lots of information for businesses and tourists.

@Adam Rasmussen Yeah I've been thinking STRs could do very well here with the college + tourist season

Mine are by the Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee (Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville) - hugely popular tourist destination that's been a mecca for vacation rentals for decades.  

Tell your teen to be aware of his surroundings and don't act like a tourist.