I am really just looking to avoid the worst of the worst areas (anywhere with open air drug markets or active gang warfare / prolific violent crimes).

I feel better now, but perhaps I should start looking for a lawyer who can help on the matter of the tenant taking in her mother without my permission and they having walled in the deck with heavy curtains, which impedes air circulation, etc.  

His word isn't worth the air it displaces anymore. 

😂Plenty of lovely folks there, plus it's where Cannon Air Force Base is located, but we soon discovered that just having a base nearby didn't necessarily make for a lively real estate market.Shortly after that, we adopted our MUCHAS criteria:M - Near a military baseU - Has at least one college or universityC - Has a Costco or equivalentH - Has a hospital ranked at least as a Level II Trauma CenterA - Has a commercial airportS - Has a Sprouts (organic grocery) or equivalentThis has led us to look at often-overlooked markets like Lubbock, Texas and Augusta, Georgia.May be worth a look for you as well!

I hear people talking about air flow etc.

It's performed well (except for the air conditioner broke) but was also more work than anticipated.Part of the question with regards to house-hacking is your current living situation. 

Couple of good ways to avoid:1.Dead bolt with a passage knob on bottom. 

It is typically caused by excess humidity (showering or cooking) and can be resolved by teaching the tenant to use ventilation fans and airing out the home once a week for 10-15 minutes.

Items cannot be stacked against wall prohibiting natural air flow to guard against mold, etc ?? 

Air b and b 4.