As long as you are coming out of pocket at around the same you would be renting somewhere else then you are still getting ahead in life because your tenants are helping pay down the loan and build your equity.You should also run an analysis putting in what the market rate rent would be of you did not live there.

If you are looking for long-term appreciation, another asset might work better, but you won't get the same benefits of being able to go visit it.

Not really a town people "visit" much, yet.

They saw ahead that these jobs take a toll on you so bought RE and now live off RE in one form or another.

If you disagree then you should just ignore the advice you get and plow ahead.

Right now, you are thinking of yourself and how to get you ahead and not stepping back and looking holistically at the process.

If you're near a medical and/or law school, monthly rentals are preferred by those who are preparing for board exams over vacation rentals as well as by visiting professors. 

If not covered by the lease, why didn't the seller provide you a lease addendum about this ahead of time?

I visit Warm Lake, Idaho every year (2.5 hrs north of Boise) and have seen Boise transformed over the last 25+ years.

You will find other newbies there and others who are only a few months ahead.