A grocery store is conveniently located across the street and a health-food/garden center/gift shop is a quick walk away.

We are completely paperless so I also use Dropbox to store any important documents.

But it wasn't easy because we have been self employed for over 30 years, owning a retail store in downtown Bend, OR.

We have owned a retail store downtown for almost 20 years. 

The former owner also stored cars during the winter, so I'll likely devote a floor to that. 

This allows me to use the high equity properties as a store of wealth that 'generates' ~5% interest that I would otherwise be paying the bank. 

I have a fix it type of personality, make sure it's not just the smell of the storage space (the tenant before was there for a few years and stored her stuff there and I don't think was in that space hardly ever) , talk to the neighbors,  air purifier, those type of things. 

Also, lets assume consumer pricing from a local hardware store + pillow. ....and forget about cost of windows and drywall finishing since that wasn't includedThats $500 in materials w/ pillow, and lets add another $500 for any permits and unforeseen issues, business expenses, insurance, etc.

This time we're buying from a contractor supply house rather than from the big box stores.

Any of the following are signs of a war area.Constant sirens and helicopters.Gun fire at night.Shoes thrown over powerlines, indicates drug sales nearby.Seemingly able bodied working age people just hanging out during the day.Large number of liquor stores and check cashing stores.