Even food and drinking places, which suffered the worst during the pandemic, saw a 6.9% rise.

There’s a bunch on Merchants Walk behind the Whole Foods.

We understand that everyone needs X of amount of money to live (food, insurance, gas, utilities) etc, so depending on the price point 3x gross is not enough. 

For example, they could log ten hours at a food pantry, apply for a grant, and I would pay $200 (10 hours x $20) to the food pantry.

Our units we require 3x rent to qualify because we do not want the tenant to be so on the edge of what they can afford that if anything goes wrong they are deciding between paying the rent or purchasing necessities like food.  

I have a tenant that has put multiple holes in different walls, and the home is layered with food on the floors and tables, and counter.

People pay with cash, credit card or with some exotic food from their home state (Louisiana).

Friends have said I'd enjoy living here (32 yo, enjoy being active in nature, smart kind people, and delicious food).I househacked my first home near Seattle and am interested in doing something similar in NC.

but, food for thought - cash flow has been compressed because of where the market is.  

I have some experience in bookkeeping via tracking expenses and rent payments for my tenants and also my personal expenses and use to be self-employed for uber, lyft, and some delivery services like Favor (food delivery) and Doordash where I had to track my gas, car repairs, and other expenses.