I am scouring surrounding areas, however, where I can go bigger for a similar amount of capital. 

I have not looked into these exact rules offhand for travel time hours, but it seems to me there is a potential to bifurcate the hours, get all of the travel hours, or none of them depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the trip.

@Filipe Pereira first thank you for commenting on the post, well there are a couple of reasons we choose Springfield my wife grew up there and we have a strong support system from her large family there i have visited a couple of times and was there in January and can see opportunity there and see the city is trying to turn things in a better direction example the new casino. i also noticed that rents are on the rise and cost are still reasonable to purchase and find property's were i can add value to. i also am open to invest in the surrounding area's willing to drive 7 to 8 from Springfield but i want to bring good housing to the city. i visited a meet up group while i was there and felt a sense of community but i haven't meet someone who is currently doing business there. if i can get in contact with like minded investor there it would be great. you mentioned you manage some property's there what is experience dealing with tenants there ?

This includes Virginia Beach and surrounding cities.

I have not looked into that Market I was only looking in my surrounding cities

I am familiar with the area, however I generally know surrounding Worcester areas better than surrounding Boston areas.

I currently live in Farmington and for the investment, I am thinking surrounding area about 1 hr from my house to start with.

There is also great opportunity in the surrounding suburbs, such as Lansdowne or Collingdale that are developing. 

Another solution to the problem of lacking practical experience is to surround yourself with a good team.

Regarding the neighborhood, you'll have to visit the park and the surrounding area to see what shape it's in and also the type of clientele it attracts in order to have a better idea of the area.