Colorado City just 20 minutes South of Pueblo on I25, 1 hour from the Colorado Springs Airport is a great little Greenhorn Valley community that has an 18 hole golf course, Lake Beckwith (a small fishing, kayaking, lake with great walking trails), and family owned restaurants and businesses. 

One thing we learned is that a seemingly "bad" area adjacent to a nice area, makes that "bad" area not so bad.

Actually sits on 2 separate adjacent parcels.

As this will be your first investment property, it's likely best to buy something in very good to excellent shape.You can do similarly well in Albany or Waterford, both adjacent to Troy, but the former requires quite a bit more skill to navigate, and the latter has a rather demanding local government(and higher initial prices.)Good luck with your first investment,Michael

If you were to buy in northern NH , you are looking at a several hour trip to get to an airport or train station.

If developments are planning on going up, does this increase home value to the adjacent properties or reduce the value? 

Fifty years ago, 9% of the Federal Budget was spent on infrastructure such as roads, bridges, airports, pipelines, rail lines, etc...

That said, there are still some great opportunities here depending on your preferred flavors, and this area remains hugely popular for good reasons (beautiful beaches, great food and nightlife, easy access from airports, proximity to the theme parks, etc).

I have land near airport.

They meet the 2nd Thurs of every month at the Radisson Ontario Airport Hotel at 6PM. www dot socalreia dot com.