Usually the best long-term rent comes closer to the middle (in my opinion, the middle bottom).

I'll probably do as @Patrick M. does and ask for 1.5 months deposit; that seems a reasonable middle ground without scaring most prospective tenants away. 

We just had our own personal door code and it makes us feel a lot safer with guests in the house.One of the best things we did when screening guests is we would send them a "welcome message" which reinterated rules such as-Don't park in the driveway-Take your shoes off at the door-etc.and hidden (smack dab in the middle) was the "secret code phrase" that they had to reply with to confirm they actually read the welcome message.

Yes,  it can  get difficult at times to  be living  in the middle  of a mess. 

You're essentially a middle-man but you don't have to own the place out right. 

Current regulation prevents new construction homes in the area from planting lawns in the front yard, and limit the total grass that can be planted in the rear as well as other regulations to conserve water.There is a limit to how many people can own a swimming pool in the middle of a desert.

I have a lot of confidence of on-going short-term rent appreciation (next 5 years) but less confidence of significant on-going property appreciation (I expect a leveling off but am not real confident of any prediction).High end homes (bigger and more expensive) have worse cash flow than middle class or working class homes.Note a small multiplex or your 16+ unit will experience similar rent and property appreciation to your SFR and have better initial cash flow (it will be poor initial cash for San Diego but increase with the rent appreciation).To summarize, SFR are not the best buy n hold investment option in San Diego. 

Im in middle GA wanting to make a name for myself in this real estate game by any means necessary. 

I am in the middle of buying my 6th house in Hendricks County.

We will stay in the middle for the entire term, pay the rent every month (even if the house is vacant), and be responsible for ALL maintenance and repairs under $500.