You might want to look at single families with an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) often called in-laws as your circumstances may be a great fit.

In CA, they finally passed worth while laws starting next year that allow landowners with single family zoning to build ADU’s (accessory dwelling units, AKA guest house) without all the municipalities having the ability to make their own restrictions.

The city of Santa Cruz is relaxing the the requirements surrounding ADU's - see the article linked below: https://patch.com/california/santacruz/city-santa-cruz-updates-accessory-dwelling-unit-ordinanceI am an active investor in this area, feel free to DM me if you would like to chat sometime. 

I would like to move closer to cut down on my commute(at times it can last almost 2 hours if I don't get away early enough from work, its an hour on a good day).My wife and I just got preapproved for a VA loan of $650,000 but will only take out a loan like that if the property can pay for itself.I understand that California has been pushing legislation to encourage homeowners to build an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit). 

I am a full time welder in the oil/gas industry and also currently own a vehicle accessory shop in Fairmont, WV.

You can only have a full kitchen if you have a licensed accessory dwelling unit, which is available only to owner occupants.

(e) (1) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, a local agency shall ministerially approve an application for a building permit within a residential or mixed-use zone to create any of the following:(A) One accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit per lot with a proposed or existing single-family dwelling if all of the following apply:(i) The accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit is within the proposed space of a single-family dwelling or existing space of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure and may include an expansion of not more than 150 square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing accessory structure.

I recently purchased my first property in Anaheim with the intention of using the new ADU (accessory dwelling unit) laws to ensure my property cash flows within the first 12 months converting the detached garage into a 2bd/1ba apartment.Jesselyn, if you can find a fixer duplex, that would be a great plan here. 

@Jimmy Hendrix - San Jose is very pro-ADU (accessory dwelling unit).

ADU Ordinance V2.0 - The state just passed an updated Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance which allows for a third unit on single family properties after the v1.0 allowed for a granny flat.