Locally, I know an investor that runs a crazy profitable trailer park where he is probably pulling in a 20%+ annual return on his investment - but he has to self-manage because no one will touch it, collects rent and deals with evictions armed, and has several "overseers" living for free on site to make sure no one burns the park down.

Its a gamble to go the permit route or not in Philly and absolutely matters the neighborhood/your neighbors as they are usually the folks that will call L&I on you OR if your property is near other construction sites where inspectors would be traveling to/from. 

Provide four to five copies of drawings size 24"x 36" and 11 each Site Plan/ Boundary Survey.

Quote from @Tyson Thompson: Your best option is to use a data site like AirDNA. 

Hey everyone,Are there any sites you would recommend for market research on an area other than looking at census data?

And, as Nathan noted, you are likely giving up huge appreciation potential, which will likely never be replaced by cash flow.But at the end of the day, if you are in a declining market in LA and are able to find great deals in higher cash flow areas, taking into account the likelihood of needing to outsource everything and additional travel costs to visit the properties a couple times per year, and you don't really care about appreciation, then it could work for you.  

My wife, (nearly) 1 y/o son, and pup moved from California to Metro Detroit in 2017. 

Research is helpful, but some sites like this one can give the idea that there's an absolute "right" decision.

Has anyone done this research before or actually opened a glamping site in blue ridge?  

A detached garage was built off site and delivered and is the only work I didn't do, although I did wire the building and install the garage door.