And that's always good ;) Analysis/Concerns: I'm interested in the following because of their good to great tourism, no income tax (if I decide to go live there for a while), and I'm OK with the regulations I've read about. - I'm most interested in the Smokies (the Airdna numbers are great) BUT I'm worried the housing prices jumped an insane amount in the past year or two and that I'll be way overpaying for something that will plummet in value.

It is not regulated like much of Tampa/St Pete and it great cash flow for either STR or LTR & it a fun, quaint area that draws a lot of tourism.

The town economy is based on tourism, mountain activities. 

I try to invest where regulations have already been established and where the town depends on the tourism dollars that STRs bring. 

In the Market I am in, tourism, building codes for ADU's and STR laws.

I think it's important to find college towns that have preferably more than one university close by and other attractions such as tourism or other industries. 

Therefore, if I can find short-term rentals there that have a vacant rate of 5 days a month or so, I now have free housing where I like to visit whenever I want.Other than looking for tourism areas, what other criteria do you use to look for good STR areas?

Buying outside the primary market gives me less competition, and knowing these areas are frequented with local tourism (and lower gov' regulation) lends itself to STR success.

For nine weekends in a row, hotels in Los Angeles County have been at least 70% full, according to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.

And don’t even get me started on tourism.