I was just hoping there was someone that had personal experience with them.

Why on gods green earth if you can save on commission, gain experience, meet investors and manage your own properties would you want to invest in a market outside of where you are?

That's been an interesting experience!

Any advice or insights from your recent experiences would be greatly appreciated!

It seems like you are either taking bad experiences that you have had, or things you have heard, and you are blanketly applying it to entire strategies that have worked and been helpful to tons of people. 

Quote from @John Underwood: Gas heat would require constant tank refilling and it would be very bad to run out in the winter.In my experience, if you have  325 or 500 g tank, you can top off in the fall and be good until spring.....Unless I guess you have a big house and are keeping it at 80d.... 

As a SFR investor for over 15 years I have been wrestling with this question in the past, because it feels like you should upgrade to "bigger".I know for sure that I would not enjoy the ownership experience that comes with a small 4F, because in Milwaukee that typically also means lower income tenants. 

Can someone share your experience or point me to the right place?

I typically don't comment on other's businesses unless I know from personal experience.

I have some experience here, and my answer will be it depends.