None of the turnkey companies I've talked to offer any type of tenancy guarantee (outside of guaranteeing that they'll re-tenant the unit within a couple of months) -- if you know any that offer guarantees of tenancy that would sound very interesting!

I like the West Mobile area, its class A area, you can definitely find deals there, 3 bedroom with 2 bathroom for around 220k or so, you may have to wait a couple of years for positive cash flow but properties there increasing in values better than others.

I really appreciate the insight and guidance, especially about attending meetups and connecting with successful investors in my area.I’ll definitely take your advice to heart and start looking for meetups.

Small places are for couples.

Call a couple local property managers (I’d suggest key property be one of the calls.

If you are limited to those areas for residency, and you choose to keep that job, you are going to have to either a) wait for a couple years and save up a heftier down-payment, b) change your strategy like you said and go for houses further away (do flips, STR or BRRR).Or, if you are sold on the house-hack concept, at some point you might have to look at a different job that allows you to move where house-hacking will work....

Good feedback i will take this under consideration. i would love to have a community of nurses and flight attendants and pilots. 

We include a couple days of essentials like toilet paper, etc to get them by. 

I don’t have an STR myself but have helped a friend set up and manage a couple last year and it’s not as simple as it used to be. 

We moved a couple of people in by the room and had our bills, mortgage paid for and even our grocery bill.