STT is paradise and you are by no means the first to want to do something here.

For example, I can get up-to-date pictures of a property (with time stamp on it) for as low as 10$ in 24 hours, most of the time it is more expensive to grab your car and go there in person if you also count your time invested. there is a great book called "long-distance real estate investing" by David Green (you can find it in BP book store or on Amazon) which goes over a lot of those services and find solutions to long distancing investing.

If you have any questions about STRs, I HIGHLY suggest talking to @Josh Green.

If this is outside your budget, then I would suggest you look toward the Plainfields (North, South, and Plainfield) and west (Dunellen, Middlesex, Green Brook) which are on the Raritan Valley train line and are ~1hr to midtown by rail, with easy highway access to 78. 

@Jonathan Greene thanks.

It contains more detailed information on investing insights, analytics, and, particularly, investing in Las Vegas.Before proceeding, note that the charts only include properties that fit the following criteria unless stated otherwise.Type: Single-familyConfiguration: 1,000 SF to 3,000 SF, 2+ bedrooms, 2+ baths, 2+ garages, minimum lot size is 3,000 SF, one or two stories.Price range: $320,000 to $475,000Location: All zip codes marked in green below have one or more of our client’s investment properties (click to enlarge).Overall Las Vegas Real Estate Market InventoryThe chart below, provided by the MLS, includes all property types and price ranges.The inventory level continued its downward trajectory, significantly lower YoY.Rental Market TrendsThe charts below are only relevant to the property profile that we target.Rentals - Median $/SF by Month$/SF remained unchanged from March, now at the highest level in the last 13 months.

Self-education through Bigger-pockets and found David Greene's Out of state investing book.

no i would not.check out episode 2 of David Greene's new podcast. 

Quote from @Jonathan Greene: Unless the deal is half off the actual value, why would you buy into squatters?

"Long Distance Real Estate Investing" by David Greene is a good options and will help with getting an idea of good markets all over the place, not just your own backyard.