Just speaking from a cash flow management/account structure perspective.

There is no way to really get an adequate perspective because there will always be a very wide variance of thought processes.

Trust me, I have been there.I suggest you try to House hack in cities that you are already familiar with and have some connection with.Hire a great investor agent in that market and ask them all your questions and concerns.That I believe is the best way to get personalized advice tailored to your goals and lifestyle.You giving out Cleeveland and Toledo on your post will only attract biased opinions and advise.Only you know what you truly like, want, and can deal with.As Nicolas said, read this post and comments and hope that gives you a new perspective. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1215726-break...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...Goodluck and keep us posted.

While I haven’t invested in NYC specifically, I can share a bit of perspective: For a 3-year timeline, buying can make sense if you’re confident in the market’s appreciation and can find a condo with flexibility for renting it out later.

The insights shared by the Realtors, @Zeke Liston, @Jimmy Lieu, @Nathan Gesner, @Samuel Diouf, @Sam McCormack, @Min Zhang provide a solid foundation for anyone starting out in this industry.From a property management perspective, it's great to see you're considering the long-term rental strategy.

Here’s how I built my network, the challenges I faced, and why I believe relationships are a cornerstone of real estate success.Finding My Support SystemWhen I first started in real estate, I was young, fresh out of college, and had just become a mom.

That insurance lesson is gold, props to you for keeping perspective and having a solid team to help you navigate through it.

It’s like giving the home a sense of place..a nod to local design traditions while still making it feel fresh.

This is the reality, and a much needed perspective.

Thank you for your perspective, Mike!