In Indiana, you might want to check out the NW corner, which is part of the Chicago metro area, but with Indiana's lower taxes and much more landlord friendly environment.

Also, if I were a tenant in a building where I had to pass a rigorous screening, with the peace of mind knowing that all my neighbors did too, and suddenly the rules were changed and my neighbor ended up being a convicted felon of a violent crime, I would be up in arms.  

That's because there's no guarantee that the fantastic one million-dollar deal (or the financial environment for it) is going to be waiting for you one half years later.

I don't know if this is the right thing on a logical level, but just to give me peace of mind I would steer clear of this person.

Stocks very close to overvalued if not already, bonds stink in a rising interest rate environment, real estate is risky now(home prices bounced well above the trend line)and way below normal on yield.R.e. notes may be the only thing to consider unless you are brave enough for bitcoin 

I absolutely loved the kids and my fellow coworkers, but the teaching environment was changing and I felt it was time for me to change as well.

DOM means less in this environment than it did a couple of years ago.

In my opinion, if you can buy the condo or townhome that needs some love, you can force appreciation into it, that would be the route I would go if you are looking to buy in our current environment.

In any event the landlord is responsible for providing a safe environment and he/she did not appear to do that and got seriously whacked. 

It was a rush almost like a high to finally not be the one making someone else rich while they slept, but it was finally my turn to sleep in peace and have others make me money now.