If they are struggling then money they spend in one area affects their ability to pay other bills like rent.

@Heather Bailey Wow thank you so much for spending your time to help guide me!

Then spend a LOT of time analyzing deals from the MLS in your preferred location.

There's a specific forum for House Hacking.You'll want to spend some time reading through there as it's a common topic.

How much can you budget for furnishings and all kitchen items and creature comforts for the ones you want to MTR.If you have a vacant 6-unit, you have great possibilities to try all strategies.

Just my thought is the closer you get to nyc the more you’ll have to spend

A partial renovation turned into a full-scale project, doubling my $10,000 budget to $20,000.

Quote from @Vanessa Lule: Hi all,I’m in talks with a landlord about leasing a property for $3,600/month, but that’s above my budget.

But they could just buy the house or condo next door and go to cosco and spend $10k making it nice like my wife does. 

Everyone has budgets and you are not in the luxury bracket where I would worry about young partiers etc.