Out of your list, I suggest the Northern and Western cities you listed (Conroe, Montgomery, and Katy).

Hi Meir, welcome to BP and the magic city!  

Here is some info: SF STR FAQAssuming the info is up-to-date, it must be your permanent residence (you must live at the property for a minimum 275 days a year), you can rent unhosted a max of 90 nights a year, you need a business license, and you need to pay the city $925 for a STR certificate.

If interested in adding another state / city to the list I am happy to connect - but hopefully this is irrelevant and you are already progressing along well with your purchase!!!!  

Basically, the further you get away from the city the more potential for cashflow, but you're also dealing with a different tenant base that may be tougher to manage.

Quote from @Reyna Ayala: Hi first time landlord to a duplex in new city.

This initial conversation before the owner has a property can be very educational especially if the owner is out of state or has never been to our city.

In the city of Portland (Oregon) they only allow us to run rental/criminal history if a tenant applicant isn't contributing to rent (if they aren't paying, we don't get to look at their finances). 

Since downtown development land goes for $30 million/acre, $100k imposed by the progressive city government for a 40 story building permit is a minor annoyance.

It's a lot of work upfront but once the team and systems are established it gets easier and as you get better you can expand to another city.