He also got me started on some books on stocks and that's fine as a long term investment but I still needed to make money to keep feeding in to them for retirement.

I want to make a plan for my retirement and future financial freedom because I realize the path of working for one company for 20+ years and retiring like my parents did will not exist for me.I quickly realized how soul crushing this market would be for a newbie so I thought long and hard about what my assets are and where I could leverage an advantage over other investors and I realized I could make moves in Latin America other people couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Did I mention I'm planning on moving to Florida in 3 years when I retire?

My goal is to have a retirement income sustained by rental properties; though hoping for fast cash by flipping properties.

I do however have a retirement account with approximately $235,000 in it from a company I no longer work for.  

(Medically retired United States Marine here).  

And if you do this prior to normal retirement age penalties would also apply. 

It doesn't mean the least amount of competition necessarily, but rather what cities are flourishing right now, is there trends happening in the south with the boomer population reaching retirement ages,  are the wealthy flocking somewhere, etc.

You should be retired by 30.

I have 4 rentals under rehab right now, and at most times, and I have been "retired" for 20 years.