Has anyone experienced something similar before?? 

I have experienced some of these very circumstances, and in California.

I’m looking for information from experienced investors about areas within other cities & states that are promising for such investments.

While many of these issues are important considerations and should not be ignored or overlooked, there are other more crucial criteria that you must question and evaluate first.The critical risk criteria that you must review and evaluate prior to making your final decision on which 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediary to retain includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:Technical capability of the 1031 Exchange Qualified IntermediaryInternal processes and audit controls to safeguard your 1031 Exchange funds and assetsUse of Qualified Trust Accounts or Qualified Escrow AccountsDecision criteria and guidelines for investment of your 1031 Exchange fundsProtection from potential errors or omissions by the Qualified Intermediary (E&O Insurance) Protection from potential theft or embezzlement of 1031 Exchange funds (Fidelity Bond) An experienced and professional 1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediary will understand these concerns and should be happy to discuss these crucial issues with you.

They are packed with experienced and new investors and are the best way to get the confidence in real life to add to books and podcasts and these forums.

You can select the best price, most experienced, or somewhere in between. 

You have come to the right forum to gather advice from experienced investors, realtors etc  try some of these meetups and also listen  to some of the podcastshttps://www.meetup.com/find/?

so you can get a rough idea of what something might rent for from the tools, but then if you know an experienced PM or agent, you can say "my property is different in these ways, how much do you think that's going to impact rent?"

I would recommend working with an experienced co-living company such as PadSplit or HomeRoom.

With insights from experienced brokers, I can set the perfect selling price that'll make everyone smile.