Ideally I would like it to be in a good/safe area with access to transportation into the city.

I have yet to find any multifamily units in that area although that is my ideal strategy if I can find them.

Ideally with trusted, quality property managers in place.

Ideally, you would have had an inspection contingency on that contract you signed.

You may be able to sneak some work by but it's not ideal.

Ideally in the mountain west or pacific northwest.

Ideally, your assignment fee will be at least $5,000 making your de facto hourly rate $192.However, this number assumes a vast array of independent variables, each of which have their own set of independent variables.

Ideally you should have money coming in from RE and some cash reserves set aside before you quit.Good LuckDerek Dombeck

Ideally you should have at least 2 of the 3.Perhaps stay at the job a little longer.

... locate housing as closely as possible to the university (ideal would be no more than 2 miles away, so you can ride bike/bus or walk to school) with 3-4 bedroom with 3+ baths, common area + kitchen (probably need some renovation work which equals sweat equity), get 2-3 roommates and their rent should pay the mortgage ($450 times 2-3 goes a long way toward a mortgage), so you live rent free or as close to free as possible .... think like an engineer, make the numbers work!