The area is not the best, but it is walking distance to a train station to the city.  

I will move this year and rent out my current home.my questing is should i use some of my 100k to pay 25%+ down or use a 0% VA lone to buy a 3-4 plex at my next duty station? 

The only problem being stationed there is because of my status I can't buy and own property as military personnel.

FYI: I'm currently helping multiple active duty service men and women stationed in and around San Diego identify properties they can househack, and/or save some of their bah, while they create equity.

I've been stationed here for 10 years and REI'ng the last five.

I have been visiting Hayward for a few weeks now and am particularly interested in 94542 (around the university and up in the hills) and parts of 94541, closer to the BART station.

I can obviously google where the major universities are but I know every city has certain attractions and places that everyone wants to live close to (best schools, universities, train stations ect.). 

We drive imported SUVs serviced at the local gas station or car dealership.

Cost would be a factor on something like that.You would have to know if the gas station is mom and pop or a big brand like a Racetrac etc. as the corp gas stations get a lot more pump traffic than mom and pop or rural locations.

Being stationed in Philly however, I'd like to network and learn as much about general Real Estate as possible as most of this stuff is relatively new to me.Thanks for the input!