I have much less desire to eat junk.

It just needed to be unique, highly desirable, generate cash flow for career freedom, create a legacy of memories and monetary liberation for my children and my children’s children.

The ratio itself matters little until compared to surrounding areas, only then revealing which areas are more or less desirable than others. 

But, ultimately it basically boils down to retaining cash/liquidity in the event that you desire to make additional investments (or, as it seems your concerns may be hinting to, in case you need it for something else).

This may affect your ability to hit a desired cap rate or monthly cash flow. 

.- Pre-approved to $450,000 (knowing I am eligible for more)-Saving $3000/month-60K in reserves and for BRRRR’nWhat I’m looking for: evaluation of my plan to get started, advice on particular neighborhoods to look at in my desired zone, people to network with and develop a relationship with.If you’re ready to get connected, please let me know.

If it’s in a desirable area that sells quickly and easy to find comparable sales, doing it myself was definitely worth it.

As an investor myself, I'm constantly on the hunt for coastal value (hence our most recent Mexico STR and coastal Oregon since 2018) and having lived in many of the most desire-able coastal cities like Ft Lauderdale FL and Venice Beach CA, I'm convinced the Oregon Coast provides some of the strongest relative coastal value and particularly oceanfront property in the continental US. 

I haven’t a clue which neighborhoods and suburbs are safe and desirable in any city except the one I grew up in.

My approach now would be to focus on real estate investing and build a portfolio that pays for as much additional education as one desires.