I live in Glastonbury and many of my clients are buying and selling in East Hartford and the surrounding areas.

Super cool apartment style living, but all one story. 

You want to focus on areas where you have a competitive advantage (you have lived there or you have family and friends there) and then compare those areas against widespread list of great areas to invest.Good luck!

,I have sold and been managing properties that are near the MIA and haven't had any complaints from residents who are living in them.

Having a long-term rental while living abroad is do-able.Flipping houses while abroad, in my opinion, more difficult, especially if its your first go around with real estate.I would recommend taking a flight and staying in the area for a week and inspect the neighborhoods and make connections.You can reach out to @Elenis Camargo who has a PM company in Jacksonville.Best of luck though.

Toxic paint et al.Would you want your family living in house remodeled with cheap Chinese s**t?

I do recommend on higher end properties adding TV channels and Spectrum has a live TV stream app (no more boxes, I also imagine other cable providers so as well).

Preferably out of state near Charlotte NC where our daughter lives.  

However, if you are profiting over 6 figures, the property might be too expensive to live in order to truly house hack.

My wife and I just closed on a duplex in Oakland, but the basement/garage was already converted into a separate living space with a bedroom and bathroom.