I haven't chosen a property yet.

I have chosen these areas because these are growing cities, with lots of young people moving in and most of them have plenty of access to nature and hiking and biking opportunities.I have a fair credit score but my debt to income ratio is very poor.

No offense but there must be something that you can purchase in your chosen housing market.

I have chosen to ignore any colleague request that does not have an introductory message of some sort (unless I already know the person prior to being in BP).  

You would be hard pressed to find properties in the 60 sq ft range which  are in your own backyard There is nothing like mining your own neighborhood and investing for both cash flow and appreciation Study you local market and I be you will find both types of properties that would be much less of a gamble then venturing into the unknown 

(you are still gambling on appreciation, but the odds are good the rents are rock solid)If it is in National city, chula vista, vista, oceanside, etc..

I want to learn how to research a market (on a city and neighborhood level), find a great team to work with me in my chosen city/cities, learn the tax implications of being a real estate owner and landlord, and more.  

Mohit,I am in a similar position in regards to being outside of the country.I have chosen areas close to Universities as a revenue generator and an exit strategy.Even if the city or town once had financial difficulties, that is the not necessarily the case for your business as you decide which market demographic to chase.A city that has gone financially bad may be good business as they may try to get rid of their inventory of social housing.Look deeper into your business plan for what you want to get into and what you want to get out and what is your exit strategy.Best of luck

The guy with a gambling problem can discharge.

These people have chosen very different lifestyles, live in very different places, have very different priorities, have very different families, etc.