A few things for you: with your most pressing issue being where you currently live/rent, have you considered house hacking a small duplex?

Not next to a fourplex with all kinds of cars parked in the driveway and kids out in the street.Your goal as a house-hacker should be to control a more-expensive property for less than the amount it would normally cost you every month, reducing your monthly obligation to the expenses and winning on ROI with the appreciation on a pricier property.With minimal down payment, even on a fourplex the best you can hope for really is to break even every month and essentially live rent free.

You get to live rent free and learn property management by being hands on. 

I'm wondering if I should House hack one of these even if it isn't a great deal but do it if the numbers run ok and I live rent free for the remainder of my apprenticeship then save during the meantime to invest in a market that makes more sense or continue to rent and save?

Long story, she had a fall two years ago, incapacitated, 8 months ago diagnosed with liver cancer with 6 - 12 months left.Our thought was to get someone to house sit, and not charge them.

I would like them to pay everything so i can live rent and utility free.   

I currently live in Boston but am a Florida transplant.

I'll break down my situation and my questions so I can get clear answers.Situation:I live (rent) in Los Angeles and am looking to purchase a home to live in. 

If you do it right you can live rent free or maybe even cash flow a bit positive.

I too am in a very similar situation as yourself, I just live/rent in San Francisco.