Cash flow and favorable regulations are the name of the game, so these are the markets I'd recommend:Florida Panhandle (Destin, Panama City Beach, etc.) 

When most people think of short-term rentals, they think of vacation destinations such as mountain or beach towns, often bringing them out of state.

I am unsure whether to start with a SFR closer to my location in the metro Detroit area or possibly invest in a STR up in northern MI (possibly Traverse City or other vacation destination)What areas in Metro Detroit have the best cap rates for SFR or residential multifamily rentals? 

I am a transitioning Army Officer who has been moderately successful in real estate investing doing live in flips between military destinations.

But being as this is the number 1 motorcycle destination on the planet it could still work if it were cost effective for everyone from the investor to the STR biker.

Where's the best place to start since we know our destination?

Orange Beach, Destin, Smokey's, Maggie Valley) Also, some can be very Saturated, like Orlando.

Get your name out there as the guy who will assist in other people's relocation and you can help them select an agent in their destination city.

I've identified a nice little 3bd 2ba in a local summer destination that I may want to move in on.

It would take a lot for any market to get oversaturated with AIRBNBs, assuming you aren't looking at one-horse towns that aren't tourist destinations.