In Asia or Chinese culture, people do care a lot to live in a new house rather than a SECOND HAND house; in other words, the 2nd hand will depreciate a lot like a car once people lived in for awhile.

Today, I think it's the hipster culture leading the charge into new neighborhoods.  

Keep in mind that East Lansing is a very different culture than Lansing.  

There are great restaurants, outdoor activities, nightlife, single people, cocktail culture, nerd culture, etc. 

Along the way you will encounter naysayers, some who think of REI as degrading to their culture and of course those that are grudgeful of your accomplishments.Oddly enough some of these negative vibes will emanate from your family, friends and haters.You have pointed your REI compass in the true north direction and frankly should ignore those that are negative about your goals and accomplishments. 

Even your tattoo thing, great you just discriminated against a whole bunch of Polynesians on the basis of nationality (and/or religion), because face tats are part of many of those cultures (and/or religions). 

Keep in mind that in some areas "bring your own appliances" is simply not the rental culture.

I have done a bit of looking into local markets, but it seems to be complicated (there can be lots of legal/cultural challenges when investing in SEA as a foreigner).

This was my first experience with military people and I have grown to love and admire the culture.

@Johann Jells Oh, I misunderstood and didn't connect hallway as the common area, I was thinking hallways and common areas as in inside each unit lol plus I sometimes forget my American culture that we wear our shoes inside dirty public bathrooms then walk on the carpet and flooring in our homes as if the bottom of our shoes are clean lol.