And I totally agree, providing the best value is key and I know that's what would eventually "win" the deal for me at the end of the day.

Stack, a fact which should come as little surprise :) An eventual future bill now seems likely to prohibit conversions in Union City alone. 

You won't be forced to de-convert unless you have violations...eventually the city will start fining you.Very critical terms are non-conforming (no violations - grandfathered in) vs. illegal (violations)...

I may eventually just stay in one, and buy others just to rent out without me moving every year or so.

@Don Konipol  Don talk about a book on this subject by I think its Jimmy Napier which was written years ago But Don says its the bible I personally have not read it As I got my education working for a HML in Oakland CA and got on the job training as it where .He was a legend and I was very fortunate to find my way to his company and then eventually end up running it.

If somebody wants to get an FHA loan, then eventually turn that into a rental (short term or long term TBD), how would that typically work?

The losses just pass into future years that will eventually offset future gains.

This means your tenants' private-sector jobs will eventually end.

I literally started my real estate idea by considering buying property in Japan, but eventually decided that the US made more sense.

That should fix that issue and just keep on them to get them to stop eventually.