I live in a small town with a college (26,000).

I'm surprised someone verbally told you you can convert back to a duplex and didn't tell you that you must get permits.from what you are describing it seems the town gave you a hard time because you didn't get permits, I don't know that you have any legal standing to go after the town,  again, I am not an attorney 

I've seen this vary around town between $25 up to $100k depending on the size of the unit. 

I'm here in the South Shore and my home town is Brockton.

Is anyone in Georgia (Preferably near Down/Mid Town Atlanta or Cobb County area) avaliable to meet up and talk?

Although I do know someone who has guest bedrooms and uses them mainly for in laws visiting from out of town.

Would definitely be interested in connecting and sharing CA mountain town STR information.

In a dense area, such as in-town (city, dense suburb, etc) you should be able to find sales within a half mile. 

You can still buy houses in small farm towns in MN for $25k.

I’ve had concerns about the crime rates so I’m trying to only buy in the better sides of town.