I understand that some of the areas are "up and coming", but she is in her mid-twenties and currently needs a safe area. 

I drive by this multifamily near my house in Central Jersey all the time and it recently went up for sale.

I drive by this multifamily near my house in Central Jersey all the time and it recently went up for sale.

It would be a drive for you to Elgin/St.

I drive for dollars in PG county, MD and I see teardown candidates all the time (small houses about to fall over on huge lots...or burnouts).

From a RE standpoint WNC relies so heavily on FL and ATL residents as secondary home owners to drive the market.  

They may require thousands each to make livable.Check the age too for moving them they look older and a lot of transport companies won't move older homes because its not safe

You state that you are having problem low-income renters so let's use the safe 50% rule, expenses are going to be higher, higher turn over, more repairs, more carpet replacements, more legal fees for 5-day notices, higher headache.  

Stay safe and thank you for your service.

Many investors on here do it every day.You can find properties in southern California and many within an hours drive of SD that you can purchase, renovate and rent.