In a lower cost area you can spread your risk over more property rather then a few in NoVa but it is a difficult commute.  

I should have mentioned I had a 40 hour a week, (50-60 including the 2-4 hours commute each day) only paying just above minimum wage.

BECAUSE she know within the 5 mins she in town for the first time, that IT WAS WALKING DISTANCE to the HOSPITALS, Public Transport,  it had PARKING, and it will RENT to MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!

One is  about 25mins walking distance to the Path close to the St Peter university.

I've lived an hour from Memphis most of my life and I wouldn't dare buy a rental there, I definitely wouldn't do it long distance.

If you're looking for buy-and-hold, I know of no better values than SFR student co-housing, with many bedrooms, within biking or walking distance of Everett College/WSU at the north end of Broadway in Everett.

Now, I'm looking for a Single Family within decent commuting distance to Philadelphia, I work at the Navy Yard.

You could offer to transport the tenants belongings to a location of choice within a reasonable distance.

I know Lake Nona is near by and UCF is commutable to St Cloud.

The cheapest condo with a view and walking distance to Montage hotel park is about 500K to buy or 2300 to rent.