That doesn't surprise me about NJ, knowing what I do as a person who's lived in the tri-state area for 25+ years, especially since becoming a father and coming to truly appreciate what NJ has to offer offer.

Do you have live meetings to ask questions to experts?

They require a place to live, which is why mid-term rentals are driven by necessity.The primary consumers are traveling nurses.

I live in western washington. 

We have a house in an opportunity zone in Texas that we bought in 2015, lived in for 3 years, and then made a rental in 2018.   

If I were in your position, I would buy a duplex that has potential for value add, fix it up, live in one unit and rent out the other unit as a medium term rental or long term rental.

Buy where you intend to live, where you know the areas best.

For example it is my understanding that Big Bear allows it but whoever is managing the property has to live within 1 hour of the property. 

Quote from @Allison Cutlip: Hi all, My boyfriend and I are buying our first home that is a duplex, planning to live in one unit and rent the other side.

I've lived here on and off for 15 years.