Thank you Eric.In addition to the rental properties, my wife and I have a paid off house, paid off car, and about $1.4m in retirement accounts, brokerages, and savings.We live in a HCOL area and our expenses are $9.5k per month even though we live pretty modestly.I set out initially to have real estate pay for at least some of my expenses in order to give me more freedom and financial security.Is your wife quitting too? 

I’m definitely looking into areas where it’s always a first pick for expats by default.

I'm an investor/agent/property manager in that area and would be very interested in hearing more about the property. 

We cap the rate for utilities and actually added about 10% above our normal average this past year due to rising utility costs in our area for gas and propane.  

In Cleveland you could also purchase a property in an area that is improving or on the border of one.

Here are a few avenues folks often explore in times like this:You are already on this path - Owner Financing: It's great that the seller is willing to finance a portion of the deal.

Welcome to the area @Nate McCarthy!

Generally speaking, have any of you invested in this area and been successful?

You can also check meetup.com or search Facebook for real estate investment groups, clubs, or meetings in your area.

Certainly more areas with lower property taxes.