You'll want to focus on areas: - With multiple drivers to the local economy (not just 1 industry)- Steady population growth (demand)- Increasing median rentsIf I were in your shoes, I'd begin conducting research on different cities of interest.

Check out some local meetups in your area to connect with more investors.  

I would get involved with state or local apartment associations.

Its great that you are looking to stay and invest locally.

Any locals with some inside information on how true this is? 

AlabamaEffective Property Tax Rate (2019): 0.37%4Typical Home Value (2022): $189,9766Annual Taxes on Home Priced at State Typical Value: $702.9The current metro area population of Montgomery in 2023 is 374,000, a 1.91% increase from 2022.

Other local counties have similar text.

Check out some local meetup groups in the area.OCREIN - Unlock Your Real Estate Success: Stand Up and Connect!

Separately — and this is a more minor gripe — it was complicating my tax situation to pay state and local income taxes in a place I didn't live anymore.I pitched to my parents that I would sell the place and roll it over into a comparable property closer to where I live.

Be creative in finding tenants by partnering with local, state, or even national businesses.