Quote from @Isadore Nelson: I recently acquired a property with an existing tenant who has been living there for about four years.

I live in Harlem but work downtown so if I have to go to the building it is not too bad after work.

It will be remote, but since you live there now, you probably already have connections who either already know the house or local friends to find you good people to service things as needed.  

Refi the house so they can continue to live in it, they will get the best loans on their primary residence.

I'd highly recommend house hacking in your local market since you're in one of the highest cost of living areas in the US, especially if you're renting currently and planning on staying in the area for 5-10 years.It sounds sexy to go out and invest out of state for your first property.

Not only does it have excellent potential as a house hack, but it also offers significant upside for a live-in flip.

Hello, Starting to research about STR options/opportunities in Mexico (as a Canadian living in Canada).

These units are perfect for owner occupants, and they are perfect for related living as you have described.

We live in San Diego so would be long-distance, TBD if we self-manage or enlist a PM. 

This may be controversial but it seems like you would be saving a lot of money at the moment given your reduced living costs.