My job often requires me to travel at a moments notice.

Is your travel nurse income W2 or 1099? 

However, because my transition is still very much in flux I don't have any grasp on where I will end up location-wise (as well as other aspects like what my income will be, work schedule, travel requirements of the job - which is very possible - or even a definitive timeline) I cannot really look into the market of a certain region or make great projections. 

Travel time to your rental does not count?

Medi-Cal debt being the other.

I have family there that can help with the process and I travel there quite frequently.

Even if you have to travel a couple hours, you have a much better chance of finding someone.How to approach a mentorOnce you've found a likely candidate, it's time to reach out and ask.

Instead of stretching yourself thin to show off or stroke your ego, focus on building wealth so you can live like nobody else later on, put the kids through college or a trade school, travel the world, etc.

The travel nurse industry doubled during the pandemic. 

I do plan to travel to the property twice a year if I self-manage.