Also anyone out of state struggling with property management message me and let's see if we can work together to get your issues resolved. 

I'm struggling with borrowing this much, and considering just moving there and getting a better idea of how much $ is needed.

I have not made any investments yet but I already see myself struggling with my idealistic view and trying to stay realistic with what the market actually wants.  

It’s a small college town in Illinois (which the state as a whole is struggling) with 30k people in 2013 to about 22k now because the college usually brings in 14k students but now it only has about 8k and the budget cuts to the school have hurt the town.

I was able to find a mortgage, but I struggled to find insurance. 

what are the struggles you are facing and do you have any tips?

If you have to refinance you need to consider that because you will struggle to find a lender that will lend money on basically a non-conforming property with nothing similar surrounding it.

Now I have nothing but time on my hand and I would like to meet educated people in the field of real estate investing so I could finally make my dream come true specially now that I’m walking after 5 years with all the struggles I’ve had.

If you search on here, you will find other threads about people looking to start out or their struggle. 

If he's struggling to find work as you say he is, he might become an invaluable resource for you and you're helping someone who needs it more than the average joe.