I wouldn't want to end up owning a rental way up near Reno or somewhere in between, as I'm still working FT job, pretty new to Landlording and for now want to keep my portfolio near by for self management as I learn what I would eventually want out of PM & how I'd like them to operate.

After securing each nearby lot for $35,000 apiece in the same neighborhood we can move and get the homes turnkey ready for less than $60,000 more a piece.

My name is Joshua, and I am a newly licensed REALTOR in Central Texas (Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and all the other nearby places that are growing like crazy). 

The towns are only 1500-3500 people or so with a large one nearby at 10,000 people

Check out the nearby members and network https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet, it will help you a lot to find partners that can help you out in investing.

Howe High School is a nearby magnet school, there is an elementary school there and the community association meets at the community center at the park.I am happy with this purchase.

Similar apartments nearby are around $2000 a month, but they aren't like ours- ours is a top floor corner unit, hardwood floors, new appliances, overall it's much nicer than other ones, plus utilities are included, unlike other places.

Things like population growth, job growth, and nearby amenities, school availability and goodness, public transportation, and retail development are all important. 

I've had a few properties I'm comping a rehabbed ARV for and will have a client say "well what about this one nearby I found for 30% more" and it's easy to say from my CMA "well that property is block not wood frame, 30 years newer, and has an extra bed and bath".

With a four-plex, you probably need someone acting as a de facto PM, even if you're nearby.