While you are willing to work with them, they are apparently happy to live rent free and don't seem to care about you.I had a long term tenant (5 years) who stopped paying the rent.

Quote from @Maurice Nkonsissie: HelloMy name is Maurice, I live in the greater DMV area.

I needed to buy my first investment and also needed a place to live.

Would your parents be interested in partnering on a duplex where you live in one side with a roommate and manage the other side rental? 

I have heard good things about Ohio, Indiana, etc.5 - Due to high interest rates flipping has become highly risky and most businesses have dried up.6 - Co-living and Assisted living seems to be popular right now.So - really depends on your market, your strategy, and your timeline.

I wouldn't start investing in the US if you have no plans on coming back from living in China.

With that being said, do yourself a favor and do the research yourself on zoning, valuation and ACTUAL rent before talking to STR specialists who make a living on selling these =) Just my 2 cents...

I can speak from experience as a student at Texas A&M, I lived in a 5 br/5 b house and I knew plenty of other students who lived in similar houses or "Ag Shacks" if you will.

Plus there is a lot to do here so it is hard to be bored living in NJ.

I'm in the greater Boston area and I wasn't able to fully live for free but I was spending about $700 on my unit.