Our lifestyle is cultured and urbane; we support the arts and public radio/TV.

I always recommend something from Greek culture or mythology, as I am Greek.

You will also need to learn the culture of student housing there: When is the student rental season that kids are looking for next year?

However, lower cost of living/ housing and cultural diversity are major advantages.

What else should I do to start building my network, to learn the local RE culture and market there?

Before you know it you will understand the values in that area better than most agents.Create a commercial checking account with a credit line.Attend every public auction in your area, bid on none but study the process, look at the property and play a game - guess what the high bid might beMake friends with new real estate agents (new only---- they haven't been polluted by negative comments and attitudes by older agents.)Ask your agents to send you list of expired listings (give them money for their services, like a thank you $100.00 bill) Understand the Law of Universal Prosperity.)Run classified ads in your local news papers --WANTED All real estate, commercial, houses and non-conforming properties, family business call 555-555-5555 for a fast no fee offer.Call me if you need a partner.Have fun while learning, don't take this business too seriouslyDon't make offers on real estate, make them on the equity that the real estate can offerAlways negotiate for the equityGet a real estate license, not to be an agent, but to understand the culture of the business, to have access to the MLS and to meet some nice folksFarm an area - drive around, look for FSBO's, agent's signs, ugly houses, put them in your journal to call laterCreate a little flyer to put on super market's bulletin boardsAsk 10 people a day this questions; "would you know of anyone who would like to sell their real estate?"

Here, most of my work is on contemporary coastal development.  

Somehow OKC got all the growth but Tulsa is so much prettier with 10 times the culture

the conditions are varied but majority of blds are classified as D bld and "high" crime neighborhoods high for maine not usa but some sporadic improvements are being realized around court house, canal by river, canal by rt 495, kennedy park, and ice arena by high school. outside this area is much safer and better quality overall conditions, neighborhoods esp near bates college, or closer to highway. more sfr and less multis.many use local long term experienced property management teams unless your strong experienced landlord with systems in place. i have rented too and be inside many lewiston buildings. some transplants have cultural programming like keeping or killing or processing livestock in apartments cupboards and trash accumulation is issue. i have dealt with many lewiston applicants and my experience many with high percent of eviction and or conviction history or both. most are limited by section 8 rules. many my tenants were on younger side, and many had mmj cards and smoke indoors. allow friends couch surf, but some are entrepreneurial but have wrong product. deals can be had. but don't scrimp on professional inspections, or onsite interviews. buildings can be fixed much easier than tenants can.be very careful of flipping single family homes in this tree block area. it wont likely be sold to live in homeowner but rented out by displaced local.

Investing in the hotter areas of NC will be expensive but still much cheaper then CA.I have considered living in Nasheville when I’m older and that way I get a similar city culture to where I live now but I am only 3 hours from my rentals