There are parts, where one street separates you from 200k+ houses and on the other side are 40k war zone/drug infested areas.

I use the same type of requirements stated above, but I have added that applicants must agree that there will be no smoking on the property, and applicants may not have violent felony or drug convictions.I also added 'rule out' requirements that disqualify applicants.One rule out is if they make an appointment to view the property and do not show up or cancel the viewing two times. 

You could stay at a high-end room in vegas for that much money for a night.You mention renting by the hour. . . the only hotels that I know of that do that are SEX motels, rife with prostitution and drugs.

A landlord that you just busted his tenant for drugs, might be a motivated seller.

Many homes could use some updating, but not all areas are clean and drug free.

Some have been violent drug dealers who commit arson and prostitute their children, and moved out because they were running from other drug dealers. 

Cigarettes are a drug plain and simple.One of my brothers smoked like a chimney and had a stroke.

But as a none smoker and none drug user, how have you dealt with renters who are smokers?.  

It’s like a drug or a coffee fix.

AB 109 has completely changed the make up of many small towns here in California, turning them into a mecca for ex cons, drug addicts etc. looking for cheap housing.