But fly by night note funds coming out of the woodworks to capitalize on this "high" rate environment by creating note investment "funds" that really had terrible ways of raising capital and minute chance by real estate, and promising something egregious like 15-20% +.

For those things that require time, ask for amount of time they'll need for an average house in the area given the sales environment you describe for each activity, and agree to a minimum and maximum reimbursement for each item.They'll push for their (ludicrous) 6 percent, and you'll remind them that in Scotland it's done for 1 percent, and that the market in your area is super hot so the house will sell itself with little work.Either you will persuade them, or they will persuade you.You are wrong to think, however, that your preconception of what is involved is relevant to the question of what is "reasonable."

I love researching good companies with good growth prospects and a long horizon to allow for compounding of value, much like finding a good property in a good area with good long term demographics in a friendly regulatory environment etc to allow for capital appreciation. 

However, in areas with little appreciation, all investment capital must come from your savings.Summarizing, a city where you can achieve and sustain financial independence must have the following characteristics:Significant and sustained population growth.A pro-business environment with a metro population >1M.Rapid and sustained appreciation.If a city doesn't meet all these requirements, achieving and maintaining financial independence will be difficult.

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

High taxes, a declining population, and an environment that is less than friendly to businesses are important factors to consider.

I have not purchased property via their platform but I'd also note it's few and far between to try to find any deals that pencil in the current environment.  4-5 years ago one could find good cash flow with SFR properties.

Just to be candid and realistic - we are not in a cash flow environment right now. 

so - tough environment. 

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/noise-code.page@Nathan Gesner is spot on.