New to Multi family I would love to connect with a knowledgeable mentor.

@Irtza Ali  RM-1 Zoning would make it easier to build a multi-family property 2-3 maybe 4 units. everything else should be similar to RSA-5.

Love your plan to house hack a multi-family as your first step - if I started my REI journey over, I would choose that path, as well.

What’s a reasonable price range for a multi unit (3-4) in Chicago area?

For example, she would not live in that multi either - there’s just no way.

I just closed on a 4 plex that came with 3 tenants. They have a lease with the previous owner but it’s already expired. In Michigan, it defaults to Month to Month. I was going to issue a 60 days notice to 2 of the ten...

I don't have any special insights on Birmingham....but you can set up keyword alerts here on Bigger Pockets so anytime someone posts about Birmingham or multi-family properties you'll be notified.

I was hoping to "house hack" my first property (preferably a small multi family; less that 5 units.. but a SFR would work as well).I only want to buy in an area that i would live in myself, i dont have high standards but i dont want to live somewhere of poor quality or in a dangerous area either. 

Local mom amd pop owners of tired looking multis get a postcard from me. 

Stay out of debt (completely out of debt)Get your degree (While on active duty it's free and you don't touch your GI bill) Buy low cost index fundsBuy some high risk stocksSave save save save saveRead every real estate book you can get your hands onPlay it out over 20 years.