It sounds like you've done a great job in investing in yourself and taking personal risks. 

This is one of the things that sound a lot easier than they are actually done.The crazy thing I learned about these CA fires is that the heat radiation is hot enough (1500-2000F) that it will ignite your furniture through the windows.

While I didn't like feeling I was in Time Square on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, the New York side felt completely dead. 

Those particles might not be washing down completely.

Sounds like you have a good W-2 job.

I just bought it in the fall and am trying to complete a bunch of modifications during off-season (e.g. metal roof, certain safety features, treating the deck, possibly updating the fire pit area, etc). 

It sounds to me like your Austin home is a "Sell" candidate - while it could appreciate over the long-term, you might be sinking cash into it for many more years in order to realize that appreciation.

This sounds like it would be primarily an investment.

Sounds like you are going to be a good host already.

I am completely new to the investing side and would love to find something to meet new people/learn as well as learn more about the city.