If I am not considering the tax consequences, which are relevant, I would sell just because holding a property in West Milford doesn't have that much scale.

If you are not in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered portfolio income.If you are in the trade or business of lending, the interest will be considered ordinary income.

There are trade-offs for each city, so you need to better define your goals.

Soft assets like specific stocks and preservation phys assets this may not apply to, but you keep those at low % in your portfolio and actively "trade" those. 

I’m not at a place where I can altruistically give my time without trading it for income.

I also looked into International REITS, funds that are traded on the stock market.

For instance  if they chose to pay their cable on time instead of their rent, it’s their decision but it comes with consequences clearly spelled out in our lease agreement.  

Your details are too vague because you don’t give your exit strategy and therefore a lender cannot figure his and consequently cannot figure out the interest rate he should charge.At one point or another, debt has to be repaid.

I am already seeing positive signs including far better dialogue between the building trades and local government.

Plumbers, electricians and other trades can easily charge well over $180/hr).