Have you gone to any local meetups? 

I looked at local companies, and while many locals have great boots on the ground, they lack the economies of scale and systems like what Avantstay uses to attract, vet, monitor, and enforce. 

I am a first-time investor, I'm looking to buy a duplex in a smaller town in Utah, the town's population is around 8.2k.

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

You could start with your agent or a local agent who supports investors and could have contacts to refer to you.Lastly, you could consider negotiating with a local PM to take on a hybrid approach to management.  

This deal came through Partner Driven's local network in Windsor, NC.

This strategy aligns well with the buy-and-hold model.Leverage Local Expertise: Partner with professionals like real estate agents familiar with rental markets and property managers who understand tenant needs.

I'm not too familiar with the markets yet but research I've done suggests that the towns of New Britain, New Haven and Hartford all have a good mix of inventory and low prices coupled with plenty of amenities, night life, cafes, etc and local colleges to bring younger people to the area year after year.

I want to remain local in NJ or at most drive down 1hr to PA (self-manage or, last resort, hire a PM)However, I must also consider maintaining reserves, a safety net for my primary home, and an emergency fund.It's just hard for a new investor now :(

Start small, build a reserve fund, and work with local experts to ensure your first investment is a solid one.Good luck!