One other thing to consider, is if you are looking to do an out of state or long distance STR, you might want to consider an area that welcomes such a thing.

I took that money and purchased a larger single family home further out in the valley, it made my commute longer but I listen to Bigger Pockets audio books now to pass the time. 

Going from a 3/1 and 1.5 hour commute to a 4/2 with a 45m commute? 

Dublin, CA is a pretty safe city overall, but the buildings within walking distance of BART experience very high crime. 

It's only 25 minutes to Lansing, so it may be a cheaper rental solution for people living in Lansing.Don't really know either market, so recommend you compare average rents to determine how likely it is someone would commute.

In the past I keep looking past this area because driving distance was too far to have any grasp/maintain on the property.

Are these long distance flips you're doing? 

Since you are on the other side of the country, you may not have considered that PA is filled with many micro markets as well within driving distance of Philly.

I know in ATL with its bad traffic .. lots of folks moved out of the city for the burbs then 10 years or so ago infill became the rage as folks tired of bad traffic wanted back in the urban areas with less commute time.. not sure where it stands today.I know personally I am a little worried about moving back to Vegas in a Few years even though we are in Summerlin in a gated community etc etc.. still things go on there..

@Michael TorkuDefinitely recommend investing driving distance to you: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/1171104-the-m...