In the six years I've owned, operated and sold vacation rentals on the Oregon Coast the investment landscape has evolved considerably. 

I own a small multifamily commercial in Albuquerque and can confirm the diversity of the economic and cultural factors that you mentioned. 

Here’s why:Affordability: You can find solid properties here well within your $200k–$300k budget.Cash Flow Potential: Indianapolis has a growing population, a diverse economy, and relatively low property taxes compared to some other midwestern markets like Cleveland.Investor-Friendly: Indy is landlord-friendly with strong rental demand, especially in neighborhoods near downtown, universities, and revitalized areas like Fountain Square or Irvington.If you’re open to a strategy involving light renovations, there are plenty of opportunities to add equity and boost rental income here.

He has also introduced me to a new network of great people with diverse experience in business, investing and life.

Duluth's housing is incredibly diverse from a sub-market standpoint. 

A financial advisor or real estate pro could help you map it all out more concretely.If I were in your shoes, I'd probably lean towards selling and reinvesting into some more diverse assets, or just more properties, but that's just me. 

This lets both the investor and the builder do what they do best.I think this will continue to be a growing part of the investing landscape. 

My best understanding from talking to reps is they have one local employee (in addition to vendors like cleaners, landscapers...) per 10 listings/properties. 

I think it has been mentioned to move entire centers of Departments "out" of D.C. to midwestern states to get the concentration of power shifted away and more diverse.

Many benefits to doing so. 2) If you are going to invest outside your area, the one thing I rarely see mentioned here is simply the "investment landscape".