If anything happens there and tourism stops, the country is bankrupt.

Along with embracing the awkwardness that any new contact/networking relationship.The best piece of information he gave me is the way he views his real estate.

Rapid City economy is mainly tourism and the military base.

We had considered trying to tap into the Tourism House Rental Market but I am not comfortable not having something rented for 12 months even though the short time rentals are sometimes comparable to a whole months rent.  

I acknowledged it is a tier 2 city but we have finally learned how to embrace that role and play to our strengths. 

No one can tell you what strategy to do, certainly without sitting down to understand your time constraints, willingness to learn, aggressiveness or passiveness as an investor, whether you can qualify for conventional financing or not, your willingness to embrace leverage (loans) or desire to avoid, your risk tolerance for liability (LLC's or not), whether you want to make quick income to build your investable cash, or if you are OK with a very slow build to wealth via rentals. 

Great posts from above about the area.San Antonio has very strong tourism and travel demand, presenting an opportunity to STR/Mid Term the other unit(s).

- Higher risk metros include those with large energy and tourism sectors. 

Which is why we've decided to fully embrace our home state. 

I live in Wakefield, RI and work for Embrace Home Loans, a National Direct Lender in Newport, RI.