Decreasing rents erases cash flow.Those with low risk:Investments with large amounts of equityInvestors with large reservesThose with diverse portfolios in the highest demand property types.If you want to protect yourself have cash reserves and do not over leverage yourself.

Are there any Internet tools in particular that real estate investors like to use regarding analyzing markets and sub-markets such as population, employment, economic diversity, ect?

@Wes Blackwell has posted a lot of great analyses on the subject recently; search the forum and check them out.Cliffnotes version is that Sacramento has gone through a cultural transformation such that it has become a very desirable place to live.

I feel like networking has been the best way of immersing myself into the culture and the community.  

I am not sure how familiar​ you are with JC but if you want to invest in the area i think you should drive/walk around the different areas, each one has its pros and cons and they are highly diverse.

My ultimate goal in real estate is to own enough rentals that I can live off the income, travel the world and experience different cultures. 

With respect to one side of the river or the other, the Cincinnati market is obviously much bigger and more diverse with respect to real estate investing.

Meghan, Belize real estate can be very diverse.

Yes, there are occasionally large judgments, but they are rarer than popular culture would have you believe. 

Couple things: I have no experience with the Jax REIA and I actually haven't been to a Jax REIM meetup in many many months so take what I say with a grain of salt...but I found the REIM folks to be a great, diverse group with a wealth of knowledge and it is free.