Another, scarier story I have is from when my business partner at the time and I were touring a house that'd been vacant and on the market for a few years, deep in the back woods of Vershire VT, real middle of nowhere town that has fewer residents now than way back in the 18th century.

what town and state are they in?

For example, a large employer may leave a small town eroding their tax base.

If you have the means to get a loan and house hack in your current situation, I'd think living in a college town and knowing that town and area well would give you a strategic advantage.  

Your engineer or surveyor or town planning personnel should be able to give some idea of the timeline to having approval and a building permit.

Susan your cardinal points are off a little  39209 is WEST Jackson and your correct that is the worst part of town. 

Some agriculture you can do Industrial, but you have to ask.  

He left town.

I wanted to know what are some good neighborhoods on the outskirts of town. 

The property is in I would say a C+/B- part of town.