STR Now for Future Home?

[Jared Robbins]

My wife and I currently live and rent in NYC but anticipate moving to western Connecticut on a 5-year time horizon. We're wondering if there is any sense in purchasing a property now and renting it out (likely short- or mid-term rentals) for the next few years prior to moving into it. We don't know much about the AirBnB or mid-term rental market in Fairfield County--just know it's a likely home contender in the next few years. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we'd be new to REI and to the Fairfield market!