My biggest piece of advice when it comes to picking an area for the longer term would be to pick an area with a growing population, good access to healthcare, a mild climate, and low taxes. 

Have discussions with your SO on what each of you wants out of life and see if you have alignment (family, friends, faith, finances, health, career). 

My recommendation is to keep the w2 income as long as you can, you can get better financing and health care. 

I would pay lots more for everyone to have a basic level of health care regardless of income.

I don't think I'll stop working, I love healthcare even though the system is so messed up, I think I'd really just want the flexibility to work as little or as much as I want.I'm also looking to buy my second property before the year ends for @Brandon Turner end of the year challenge

HIPAA is a law that affects the healthcare industry.

I am a healthcare provider.

There are lots of spaces within CRE (retail, industrial, office, multifamily, self-storage, leisure, healthcare, etc.) and retail has definitely and will continue to be impacted by the internet.Malls are changing to the indoor/outdoor type with mixed use (retail, residential, leisure, office all combined) and entertainment included. 

In the former category, you have people in the trades, manufacturing, a lot of retail workers and health care aides.

After the recession my world in new industrial and health care construction came crashing down, I was laid off without notice and zero work to be found.