Just trying to figure out what city or town will be good to invest in planning to live there for a year and then invest in another property and so on.

The City of Alexandria is bound by the Potomac, Arlington, and Fairfax county.

You need to just take the home you want to do this with and get some pricing (and make sure the city will let you do it). 

They are doing a similar thing in multiple cities, including OKC.

Can you take it to the city to get it permitted?

Quote from @Pat Arneson:Usually, the city website has all the utility companies for the city that you should be contacting.

In mid city south, rooms rent for $600-$750/month.

Business Journal (BizJournals) is the main one I read, but you can find others. bizjournals post about the new developments and changes in the city.

LOTS to talk about in Calgary as quality multi-family deals are being snapped up quickly, multiple offers on handyman specials, and parts of the city is experiencing Sellers Market, while the CIty of Calgary has decided to continue their major capital reinvestment projects, so there will be emerging areas soon! 

You can still pay for a service to do backgournd/credit checks and employment/rental verifications.Some states/cities have their own rules, so you need to know what your local rules are also.