Schooling in my town is amazing, so there is no issue with that.Transportation to NYC is literally 2 minutes on every corner to the bus, so that isn't an issue.Additionally, I was told that I should stay away from homes with oil tanks for heating because if the oil tank was to leak, the soil would be contaminated and it would cause a big headache and a big whole in my wallet.

I've been a Project Manager in the Oil and Gas market for over a decade.

Before him, there were very few conventions in refining oil profitably, but he grabbed the reigns of Standard Oil, and the rest is history.  

You can control the value by seizing the opportunity and oiling the machine to max efficiency.

First, i would not furnish the places, it will probably get trashed, let them get there own furnishings and make sure that the lease says they must remove them from the property when they leave. i would have them pay for utilities, to an extent - have them pay for electric, supply the heat but give them an allowance for certain amount of months ( especially if you have older furnaces and they run on oil heat ) if they go over then you charge them for it. i converted mine to gas with new furnaces, i include heat in mine, but i control the thermostat ( online, thermostat is locked at the house ). i also provide water / sewer and free internet.

But if a guy delivering oil calls you about a house he noticed on his stops, you close, and you kick him a few bucks, I think you'll be okay. 

, close access to National Parks, golf, fishing, rivers/lakes, bicycles, canoes, boats...et al?  

This is a huge step in my life, so I think I'm just fishing for support here. hahaAny other advice is greatly appreciated!

First you must determine if you want to purchase the service station operating business and lease the real estate, purchase the real estate and be a landlord to the station operator, or purchase both the operating business and the real estate.Many of the best locations are either owned by oil companies and leased to operators, or have restrictive contracts with severe penalties for changing gas suppliers.  

At this moment I have bad credit, 50k in a 401k and an oil field job in west TX.