But, the self-sufficiency test for FHA loans can be really difficult in SF, meaning that the market rent from units you will not occupy must be sufficient to pay for the mortgage payment. 

My immediate area, 5200 people, has 3 outdoor self storage and 1 new climate controlled.

Has anyone in this group had success with self storage syndications?

Purchase price: $940,000 Cash invested: $250,000 I purchased a Self-Storage Facility.

It sounds like you do if you want to self manage.

If you have a larger portfolio, are you still self managing?

It seems like there are so many limitations to buying real estate with self-directed IRAs. 

Being the military, it had that definite institutional overtone to it, but the basic premise was the same.I recently toured a new senior's complex in which on end - for those who were still relatively self sufficient - had individual units (bedroom, sitting room / kitchenette ... effectively a bachelor apartment but without a full kitchen) clustered together in groups of 4 with their own common room / kitchen and courtyard.On the other side of the complex were units for those who required more assisted living.  

I am looking into buying my first self storage facility.

Thanks for the care and detail you put into your posts on self storage.