Rutherford, East Rutherford, Hasbrouck Heights, and area were my favorite in terms of grocery convenience/distance to city/property taxes.

Lots of folks from NY invest in Philadelphia, Allentown/Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and Poconos area due to the driving distance. 

Pre-covid, you for sure needed a letter stating you could work X distance from your work if it was that far (or remote x part of the time at least, etc.).Not sure how familiar you are with the area, but it doesn't hurt to live in a place for a bit before.

I'm researching long distance real estate investing and can't be there to view the neighborhood.There are really inexpensive houses in Jacksonville, but from my experience, those are the ones to stay away from. 

You have a competitive advantage in this area compared to those that are investing long distance and never been to the area.You may want to consider area's that you grew up, areas that you visited, areas that you went to school at.There is a risk in every decision that you make but you are always looking for ways to limit the risk.Yes, Illinois will have more tenant friendly laws but if you screen properly you should limit the risk of a tenant not paying.Good luck to your investing career!

We knew we wanted to be in the city, close to amenities, and be within walking distance of the Lake.

David Green’s book on BRRRR & long distance real estate investing were very influential for me also!

That being said, Nassau and suffolk are possible if you make your own deal but is it worth the time and money when long distance investing is so much easier.

I'd start by checking out @David Greene's book Long-Distance Real Estate Investing, in the bookstore. https://www.biggerpockets.com/...

I told Fred Warner and Huntington, sorry no deal, and I turned my attention to other deals. 3 months later I was in Lansing, MI looking at a deal when my phone rang, it was a banker from Huntington Bank, they said that they foreclosed on the property, they owned it, but they forgot to pay the water bill, the water was shut off and all of the residents were in the bank lobby screaming and yelling, Huntington Headquarters is within walking distance to the property.