This is about happiness, fulfillment and finding a path that works.

I also don't use that as the end all/be all to determine whether or not LA is a reasonable place to invest in.Most people (including myself) come to the BP forums to gain something: knowledge/insight, advice, fulfillment in helping others, a platform to network or just community. 

I for sure :1) Don’t waste money2) Do bad investments3) Engage with shady people4) Have bad vices5) Focus on making as much money as I can6) Respect my relationships 7) Let greed get the better of me8) Ever Do fraud or lie or want to make a dime at the expense of another personThose are enough to keep me out of trouble and help me lead a fulfilling life.

You learn how to make money, and much more exclusive and marketable skills that can serve you later on in retirement.Most people I know that have retired early successful have some sort of windfall, through their own effort, but they are able to leverage skills they learned as a hare to continue growing and taking on consulting if necessary after retirement.I think that's a much better (not to mention fulfilling) way to go.

It doesn't fulfill any of my needs(outside of money.)

I don't live in a place that has 20+, 10+, or even 1 BP meet up or REIA group so I have to do the next best thing and engage people on here that are willing to share, educate, motivate and interact with me all the while learning from folks that are doing what I ultimately want to do (becoming successful REI'ers).Although I am a newbie compared to most here on BP but I think what makes BP such an AWESOME and  fulfilling tool to use is that if you apply  what you learn and are willing to share your personal experiences back on here you give back to those that helped you as well as you also provide motivation and content for people that are just starting out as we all did once in our careers here! 

I came to realize that self indulgence was never going to give me a sense of fulfillment.

I can think of a few things that would be WAY better long term.1. would be to start your own Montessori school ( or a variant of that) I built a home for a lady that has 2 of them and she makes over 400k a year NET... probably be much more fulfilling to you long term and certainly more profitable and its a business you could sell for a good profit . 

That seems more fulfilling to me.

It can be wrong if the buyer doesn't fulfill their obligation, but that's another issue.