Austin is a top 10 city in population, top 3 city in places to live, #1 in growth and stability, and yet 26th in median price. 

I believe I will be moving within the next 12-18 months to a more populous area somewhere on the east coast.  

I had also heard that last year the population of the USA actual declined!

Hilo (which on the east side of the big island) seems to be a great market for long term apprection and cash flow as the median home price is almost $300,000 with a population of 45,000 and growing.

Florida is a magnet for the elderly and the population is only getting older.Wrap-Up: The rabbit hole of options when it comes to real estate investments and financing them has tormented my mind for the past few weeks, but I am enjoying every second of it.

I know the city in general has a poorer, more troubled demographic, so the general renter population will be worse.

It seems it might be a lot safer to stay here in town because of the known growth expectations, the connections I already have (although this is pretty limited I am still green to the game), the stable job (that I am sick of) I can hold onto and quit when I'm ready, and the lifelong knowledge base of my area.However, it seems like the opportunity to sell houses in a relatively rural area are still going to be pretty limited and the total volume of sales in the area even with a large percentage growth in population will still be low, the value of homes here is low enough that my commissions when I do sell will be consistently smaller than if I moved, I will struggle much more finding a home to buy elsewhere and even getting a loan will be more difficult if I move.

It has a population of 8600ppl.

My recommendation is to choose cities in safe and economically diversified areas with above-average income and population growth.

Some of my reading indicates cap rates track with the Fed rate (with an offset) assuming stable jobs, population, etc.