Some of the things that have happened during the last 7 years of running STRS, loose deck boards, rotten outdoor steps, broken interior hand rail mounts, loose electrical outlet...Any of those could cause a major accident so they were repaired asap.

I'm still doing market research and can't decide what would be a less riskier option for me, is it better to find a property in a vacation destination that's more rural and outdoors or a property in a more urban/metro area?

If you are looking at apartments, space is the premium, but light is important as well if you don't have dedicated outdoor space (balcony).

All the hotel brands are coming to market with new franchises that have full kitchens, large rooms, pools, laundry, gym, outdoor courtyards and kitchens, are located directly in the dining, entertainment, and shopping districts and adjacant to transportation corridors and have on site staff. 

You want to check the toilets and under every sink, outdoor hose bibs, etc.

Can you have outdoor cameras to see who enters/exits the premises. 

It has many tenants such as full size gym, yoga studio, NEW full outdoor area for pickleball, ju-jitsu, and other recreational programs that renting (16 total units - currently 9 are occupied).

If you hit all the best practices checkmarks i.e. maximizing the space, renovated, great outdoor space, pro photos, priced competitively, you will do fine!

Fast internet (there's a reason it's called Gig City), great population growth, industry (Amazon, Volkswagon, Unum, Erlanger, TVA, BlueCross, etc), outdoor living, etc. 

He is a partner in a website called Outdoor Billboard University.