Obviously for biased reasons I hope the area continues to grow. 

Try that strategy because in college it may be hard to find six students wanting to room together especially if their parents do not allow mixed genders in one house.

I'm asking because I'm biased against being a landlord.

If you have the time and energy and don't mind shopping for lenders, I'm sure you will be able to find a decent loan on your own; but I'm obviously bias to recommend a broker. 

,Remember that it is your house, so legally you can rent it to whomever you like, as long as you don't discriminate based on race, gender, religion, Etc.

I'll also echo his stereotyped sentiments about the house-hacking gender differences.

I am a property manager, however, so I am also a bit biased. 

I am a bit biased here but I love the Pittsburgh market. 

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction and there are some good arguments for both of your options above.Of course I am a little biased for the Indianapolis market and see lots of out of State buyers here do very well [and a few that loose everything due to a bad or no team on the ground].If you do look out of State, I would suggest sticking with SFH for starters [they are much less of a head ache to manage and very easy to sell later].

I guess I am kind of bias but I agree.