Sounds like being super proactive by picking out a place before selling the old one is a safe bet.

This is your chance to pick a state with no income tax if you wish to avoid that in the future.

You can still pick up a good STR/LTR up in North Conway and around Merideth.  

I pick up rentals all the time with 15- 20% net per year income, based on cash purchases.

I picked up a cabin there in 2021.  

Don't pick a random city far away. 

If I buy a house for 150k, put 20k into it, and it's worth 220k - I've just picked up 50k equity on paper.

I'm going to keep nosing around, but if you've done anything with modular homes since your post, I'd love to pick your brain.

I would 1,000% pick Own it Detroit.

Once you have this team in place, you should be able to invest in any market confidently.As for picking a specific market - I would go after one with an increasing job and population growth.