Consider OT career prospects and lifestyle.

If you live paycheck to paycheck and do all this you are never going to become an investor because you aren't willing to change your lifestyle now for something you can have in a few years.  

not everyone's family situation or commute or lifestyle permits it, but it's a great way to get started.it's also just objectively tougher to find good deals now than it used to be. 

I would pick a market area you like and start doing a bunch of deep dive deal analysis, but from a rental and not a life style standpoint.  

What’s exciting about your journey is that NYC has so many unique opportunities—you’re not just buying a place; you’re investing in a lifestyle.

I've been religious about this because I know how easy it is to lose track of what you're spending when it's all going into and out of a single pot.

The decision you must make is where do you want to live from a lifestyle perspective.

In some of the big cities (speaking in Canada), you have people who want to live in Toronto or Vancouver, but they can't afford the rent with their lifestyle...and they don't want to move.   

This unique blend of economic opportunity and lifestyle appeal positions these cities as prime locations for both investment and personal residence.You mentioned Roan Mountain and Watauga Lake.. both are fantastic draws.

I hope you can achieve your ideal lifestyle.