At the moment it looks more like gambling.

I own real estate outside of CA, both in the country and internationally but have chosen to rent in Hermosa Beach due to the high cost to buy a home in coastal southern California.The apartment complex I live in was bought April 1st by an private equity company who gave all the residents a 60 day notice to vacate so they could due a total rehab.   

Hi NYC neighbors and out of area investors: I'm wanting to know how many of you have chosen to use a hired manager for your long term hold rentals.  

Gains through crypto felt uncertain to me but still had a draw, so I decided I wouldn't use more than 5% of my disposable income to gamble (whether on leveraged index funds like QLD or crypto).

Both of this will likely require real time conversations which will be difficult from India3) Maintenance when tenants are staying - I feel less worried about this as I can have the tenant coordinate with my chosen vendor (that I already have or can potentially find from India by talking to them on phone at night time in India / morning in the US).

Is it a gamble to move into one of these neighborhoods if the market crashes?

@Flavia Vangelotti forecasting appreciation is always a gamble so I view it as a bonus on my investment properties. 

when it comes to the investment side I have chosen to largely remain passive investing in REIT's or other publicly traded options.

Well, you've chosen arguably one of the most desirable places to live on the planet, so it's not surprising it's so expensive. 

Both of this will likely require real time conversations which will be difficult from India3) Maintenance when tenants are staying - I feel less worried about this as I can have the tenant coordinate with my chosen vendor (that I already have or can potentially find from India by talking to them on phone at night time in India / morning in the US).