BP is a great resource and as @Steven Stokes mentioned the BP meet ups are a great place to meet like minded individuals.If you currently live in the Bay, one of the better ways to own in this market is house hacking (if it fits your lifestyle goals).

He still owns them 15-20 years later, and has used them to finance a very comfortable lifestyle beyond what his 9-5 engineering job would otherwise allow him to afford.  

@Gary ytreeideA little insight on my circumstances:  I can afford the mortgage and current life style.  

Only $1,100 per month. 3rd floor apartment. 750 sq. ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 parking space.Only $1,100 per month. 1500 sq. ft. modular home. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 covered parking spaces. Covered deck. Nice lot with gar...

A niche may be a geographic location - an area where you live and really love the lifestyle and community it supports, or you want to really get to know for investment potential.

It does really well however I know it is not the solution to my goals in life and will not maintain the lifestyle I'm seeking.

I like the fourplex as an investment (low maintenance, fairly updated, and parking galore there) but I am sensing the "living there" may not fit your lifestyle looking at the photo and story here....The duplex has the better schools, location, neighborhood as well as the larger yard and looks a bit more suited to your current situation and lifestyle looking at the photo (and it may work out better on cash flow when you move out)...Plus the appreciation opportunity looks like it has an upside there..... 

If you are going to live in it....buy what suits your lifestyle best.  

That makes perfect sense to me  The only  concern I would have would be that once I am done spending that money over three or four years did my properties appreciate enough to continue that lifestyle? 

We decided on buy and hold investments because it fit best for our transient lifestyle.