Reston Virginia, the first master-planned community in the United States founded in 1964, is a Garden City about 20 miles outside of Downtown Washington D.C., which was recently added to the Washington D.C.

I am actually born and raised in DSM, and currently own and manage just over 200 units throughout the city.

Is the city growing/declining in population?

Not sure exactly where you are in upstate new york, but those taxes seem low. 

I would really like to have a vacation home in California or AZ that my family can use to get out of the city and be closer to nature.

Hello, I'm new to bigger pockets, and I'm looking for recommendations for an attorney in the country of Greece, particularly the city of Athens.  

Is it in Kansas City or some other town?

Of the 3 1031 exchanges I've dealt with this year, 1 seller exchanged a SFH in Redwood City to several properties in NV, 1 exchanged a SFH in Fremont to a multifamily in Seattle, and 1 exchanged a SFH to a few townhouses.

Also, make sure student housing is permitted in the area of the city/town that you are investing in. 

Some specialize in specific cities.