With a Direct Investment, since the investor will be managing the business on a daily basis, it is somewhat supposed that the Investor will live in the immediate area where the investment is going made. Investments through a Regional Center are very beneficial because they allow the investor to live, work, study, and travel freely without worrying about the day-to-day aspects of the business.
An investor in a Regional Center can live anywhere they want in the US. An investor in their own business should live in the area of their investment in order to effectively manage their own business.
No, when investing via a regional center. When making a "direct" EB-5 investment the investor will more likely need to live close by the business because they are more likely to have a much more active role in the business.
Whether via the "direct" program or through a Regional Center project, there is absolutely no requirement for the investor of said project to live in any set geographic area in relation to the project.
This however, does not affect the requirement to be in the US, based on certain regulations, and the management requirement imposed by Federal Regulations.
Either way, RC or Direct, you can live invest in a project in Alaska, and live in Florida, and through "certain" investment structures, your "management" requirement can be substantially reduced.