if you buy it yourself and turn it into a live in flip and absolutely crush it, great! 

NOT a Quitclaim Deed, as you may often see online, because Quitclaim Deeds do not fully warrant the rights and covenants of property as does a Grant and/or Warranty (or equivalent depending on state) does.

Quote from @Kristi Kandel: Helping LA Communities Rebuild After WildfiresWhen Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers Beach in 2022, it changed our lives forever.

Without population growth, your rental income will lag behind inflation, requiring you to find additional sources of income.How long your rental income lasts depends on the job growth in the investment city.Non-government jobs are inherently temporary.

@Andreas Mathews admirable, but make sure you do some research so you understand what a PM can make.Starting your own PMC business will require 75-150 doors to make a decent living, depending on gross rents and your fee structre.Working for a SFR PMC as a PM, will require a RE license and you usually get paid a percentage of the gross rents the portfolio of owners/properties you manage generates.

Rodrigues' recommendation may change this), but my next question would be, are there any cities/markets where 1 of the following are true: 1) You have family/friends that live there, 2) You travel there frequently (either for vacation, work, etc.), or 3) Somewhere else you've lived before AND know the area well?

There would potentially be some weight issues with the 2nd+ floors of some shopping malls, depending on what the potential tenant wants to store in the upstairs unit. 

Living in the house has definitely slowed progress. 

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You'll need at least 125-150 doors to make a decent living, but you won't be able to afford much help.