If you're not sure of you preferred direction with your next property I would invest in understanding investing more thoroughly and read 5-10 books as well as speak to other experienced investors.

You want to be understanding and not "kick them out", but at the same time let them know you operate differently than the previous owner and if they would prefer not to operate that way that's a decision they can make.

Typically you cannot 1031 out of a syndication as the partnership (ownership enttiy) must be the one to do it, not an individual investor.2.

That being said, there’s nothing wrong with investing in blue collar areas but I prefer to invest in the ones that have a higher degree of owner occupancy because the residents of those areas care about where they live and have deeper roots.  

Definitely a personal preference.

If they were separately metered, each tenant would pay the $116.50 base fees and their individual use, which would be 3x higher than what they pay when sharing a meter.There are many options, but don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.

I don't understand if I count since I'm living in the property or if it's only the tenants that count towards the limit of individuals that are unrelated living together.

Without the tenant explicitly stating (preferably in writing) you can trash whatever is left, you likely have a requirement to store items left behind. 

I’ve heard arguments for both, but I’m curious—what’s your preference, and why?

Can pay cash but prefer to finance part of it How did you add value to the deal?