I'm generally a proponent for alternative lenders if they can provide better leverage or if they are needed due to time constraints.

Rooming houses dwindled in numbers, and zoning regulations took out the rest.Now apartments in popular suburbs are as expensive as in center cities, and for people of even moderate means their own apartment or house may not be realistic financially.  

Put it down in the stupid tax column and the cost of learning about the different types of alternative invesements that are out there. 

If anyone found an alternative that you're happy with, I'd really love to hear about it!

With my last (2 years ago), I had to take an alternative exit strategy to avoid a loss.

Are 1-bedroom units more popular than studios or 2-bedrooms?

I would look at wisp as an alternative comparison when talking to realtors. 

The cabin sits within a 15-20 minute drive of most popular activities that RRG has to offer.

Am I approaching this the right way, or am I missing a better alternative?

In no particular order I have listed some of the most popular markets for out of state investorsCincinnati, OhioDayton, OhioToledo, OhioYoungstown, OhioCincinnati, OhioMemphis, TennesseeSaint Louis, MissouriIndianapolis, IndianaDetroit, MichiganErie, PennsylvaniaLouisville, KentuckyMilwaukee, WisconsinJackson, MississippiEach of these markets is popular with turnkey investors because of the low barrier to entry, high rental demand & high rent to price ratio.