You are very detailed about your complaints, but never mention basic important details such as what kind of rental agreement was given to these tenants?

Yes, one approach is to continue with finding other cash flowing property.Let me suggest some other ideas for you to ponder, especially since you've also mentioned you are looking hard at DST's:What about Opportunity Zone funds? 

I am not a big fan and it sounds desperate, not to mention takes away from the purpose of what BP is.

You made another post about you mentioning you do well with STR in NJ.

Occasionally I catch some cleanliness issued that I am not satisfied with which I believe is due to variability in attention to detail between people on their crew, or lack of training and familiarity with my property.I've seen mentions of the value of post cleaning pictures from hosts on other forums.

i would:-get the highest paying W2 job you can-save up enough to buy a house hack-house hackwhile you continue to learn and consider the other possibilities you mentioned.

I have often mentioned to my wife that it would be a great place to move to - for the exact same reasons that you mentioned!

You mentioned the following: "Take a look at what markets you are planning on starting in and make sure it is a growing market where the appreciation is obvious (emphasis added)."

The rate will also be lower than either of the two previously mentioned options. 

As Miguel mentioned above, a majority of the time MTR residents do not search for housing in advance.