Saying you want to eventually "get out of Section 8" is akin to saying you want to eventually "get out of renting to [insert a traditionally marginalized race/ethnicity/religion]"

You don’t want small condos that are easily carbon-copy for example as you have no way to stand out from competition and it becomes a race to the bottom.

After years in the highly active BRRRR, sales, and rehab realms as an RE broker, I quite enjoy throwing on my boots and riding a zero turn mower, taking a Jon Boat out on our pond, or cutting up a downed tree for firewood. 

I work remote full time in IT and want to escape the rat race and live financially free.

LA has incredible food, incredible locales and is an excellent lesson in getting ahead of the rat race.

And like you note, if there is a lot of generic office space available in a market, it becomes a race to the bottom on rents, as well.While you can be close to bedroom communities, most offices also want convenience to amenities.  

There was this rat race of sellers and crazy bid wars among buyers that gobbled up whatever could be sold and bought on the market.

(I am a fellow investor offering advice, I have nothing to sell and no pony in this race).

A person could be 1 week out of prison for murder and no, your not in the clear to discriminate against them as a potential buyer for an open market home sale.There is a lot of history with various discrimination in access to housing to various persons of assorted minority classes, not just on race but a whole assortment and in this day n age there is no shortage of attorneys and advocacy groups happy to sue.

I'm all for seeing others get away from the rat race and have the grit to fight and create their own success story.