I may buy a property and plan to fix it up within one year but the location city may say, "no way", " we will allow you maximum 6 months or we will order the building torn down and charge you for it".

@Zach Schnoebelen - are you thinking city or burbs?

I am under contract for a 6 plex (built in the 1920's) in a different city but in the middle of the state as well and I am getting quoted for 5K a year for insurnace.Is this what everyone is experiencing and any alternative ways to get some relief from that premium? 

I have a cert on a property in Mobile and have  received a yard violation from the city.

Yes, there are so many neighborhoods making up the city, some obviously better than others. 

My wife and I currently live in Denver but my parents are aging and we will soon move back to my home town just outside of the city.

If you are in an area that needs septic or a well, I would not allow it but if it is tied to city, I think you would be fine.

After Austin and Denver I’d probably say the next big tech city is Nashville or Columbus.

This may not always be the case as you do not know under what conditions a city assessor may calulate a property's square footage and real estate agents are allowed to use assessor's figures in their quote regarding total square footage. 

They're in Lake City, but very high integrity and responsive.