Lots of strategies to choose from in the area, but the rent by the room strategy is growing in popularity as it helps to achieve about double the market rents.

Fountain Square is extremely popular spot so you are obviously looking in a good area. 

You are the only one who can make that choice.

I've done facility maintenance work in the past for my first job and believe I'd be able to manage contractors but this wasn't a desired choice.

I'd say as long as your not buying top of the line appliances and instead opt for gently used or discounted appliances they should pay for themselves pretty quickly... but nonetheless it is your choice. 

Each area usually has certain types of properties that are more desirable than others, such as condos do not do that well in Apache Junction but they are quite popular in downtown areas. 

Generally you'd see $5k-6k given your choice of a low DP loan, so that would drive down the CoC. 

If we were in a normal world I'd say maybe some paid meal vouchers at a local really popular restaurant/brewery, all the way up to some weekend trip or day thing somewhere.

When cities and towns can't make ends meet, they have two choices (like any business): increase revenue or reduce expenses.In most cases the ability to reduce expenses is minimal at this point, and the far easier choice is to simply increase taxes.

And #1 for education, and by what I have seen since COVID started #1 choice of independents changing things up that need the help to survive and thrive.