What have been your determining factors on which one to do?

Being in Property Mgt I drive alot, so I have the opportunity to listen to all the different podcasts, which has brought a wealth of ideas and information that I can utilized. 

Thanks all for the advice - I was more interested in where this lands from a responsibility standpoint and from what I'm reading this feels more landlord than the tenant if the tenant feels the need to call it in.Thank you for the comments on self-managing, it would be nice if I was local and could simply drive out and do that, but alas I am half a country away and the PM reduces my headaches.

Ideally, I am looking for a property within an hour drive of Boston and no more than about 325k, with places near the commuter rail being very attractive.

Ill be "driving for dollars" as much as i can very soon!!

Anyway, I asked my property manager to drive by the house and take a look.

My wife and I's conclusion was that as beginners we rather start in CA even if 3 hours away than out of state where I cant drive in a day.

I'm open to working/investing in all of NJ so distance doesn't factor in too much for me if the opportunity is right. 

Of course this doesn’t affect income tax owed on my oregon rental income or job income generated in Oregon  one of the most tax effective plays in the US is live and work in SW Washington with No income tax then simply drive across the river to do all your shopping TAX FREE  .. 

How the legislation and regulations are written and interpreted will be a big factor in whether it is worth your while to accept pets.Here in NB, we are allowed to discriminate and not allow pets, but other jurisdictions (ON) that appears to no longer be the case.