I am new to this site but have been investing in real estate for about 6 years but a leisure pace and with a cross country move in the middle.

That's the situation if your city has job has more demand on the tech sector.

Columbus, OH – a market that continues to show significant promise for real estate investorsStrong Economic Foundations: Columbus boasts a diverse and robust economy, driven by sectors like finance, education, healthcare, and technology.

Recently laid off in the multifamily development sector and am looking to chart my next chapter through small niche development and RE investment. 

He has a great degree and can go in the public sector any minute and do better but it’s important to him to make his hometown a better place for people to be.

Will this effect the the need for student rentals and cause a down turn in this sector?

While there are quite a few investors who do not like the sector, I have found it to be enjoyable, fast-paced, and reliable and it has generated great returns.

There are a number of different sectors here that seem to be thriving. 

Tons of growth in population and in the business sector (Intel, Google, Amazon, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, etc) 

With Charleston being voted the #1 place to visit voted by Travel and Leisure there clearly is a market for STR.