Beginning to explore how to manage STRs in numerous geographies outside the U.S., curious what people's experiences have been? 

@Adrian WydmanskiLiving in the Boston area I personally opt to rent and invest in the more-affordable markets outside of the city.

rural area outside of Milwaukee.

Some of them will lend directly as well as work with outside lenders that use your portfolio as collateral.

All homes are outside the 100 yr flood plain.

I would like someone local, but if you know someone outside of Memphis that is great and can work remote/skype that has a good reputation I am open to that as well.

We have outside investors who are willing to invest.

To make myself seem much less boring than it may seem, I do have some activities that I enjoy outside of browsing the BP forums and listening to podcasts on my Metro rides to and from work.

Outside of the East Coast, we’ve invested as part of a syndicate so it’s all passive.

In such a situation, your 401k has nothing to do with that investment and as such, you may life in it, work on it, and make profits on it outside your 401k plan.