I do believe this is a good method while starting out to get familiar with the types of listings out there, however it is SO time consuming to make a list of properties, pick the ones to analyze, and then decide whether they are worth pursuing.

Does anyone in this area have or want to be do a meet up to chat and teach and hopefully consume a beverage?

my pockets will make it work just a lil more time consuming. 

For example a new Chevy might be slightly cheaper and less reliable than a similar Toyota, but both meet all the minimum federal safety standards and whatnot, so I as the consumer am somewhat protected from that dial being jacked too far in either direction - there's virtually no chance that I can find a new car from a legit dealership that is priced so cheaply that is likely to explode on me the second I drive it off the lot. 

Also, XY Planning Network has some quality advisors.https://www.xyplanningnetwork.com/consumer/find-advisor-new/https://www.napfa.org/find-an-advisorBest of Luck!

The time-consuming part comes with finding a tenant and getting them moved in or getting a tenant out at the end of a lease or with an eviction.

If cozy does come after me for the money, my main options seem to be small claims court ( I know I can win, everything is documented), collections (less time consuming), or possibly fraud investigation. 

Expenses, even in well-maintained rentals, consume roughly 30-45% of the gross potential rent. 

My day job as an academic scientific researcher is intellectually stimulating, but stressful, time consuming, not paid well, and has a limited timeframe, so my husband and I are interested in going in a different direction to build our financial freedom.

consumables, help, tech, ewpairs, furniture, etc etc