You'll learn the ropes faster and get a steady paycheck.

It's very difficult to force seller financing onto a situation where it's not the right property/seller, but there are a lot of benefits to it for the right situation (lower downpayment for you, lower capital gains tax and steady income stream for the seller without being a landlord, etc.)Happy investing!

I am talking about slow but steady appreciation.

It takes some time to research and select individual securities to invest in and build a portfolio, but the idea is that you are investing in the stocks for their dividend yield, the steadiness and growth of that yield, much in the same manner as you would invest in a rental property for its cash flow.

Not sure you'll get as much income as a steady tenant, but it may be a way to get an primary residence mortgage?

If you can show steady income for the last 2 years with good credit, you can get financing from a bank, possibly with very low down payment options (3%-10%).

Again I'm going off anecdotal evidence here, but I believe a large number of transplants are here for legalized marijuana, and with state regulations tightening as well as more states legalizing, along with all the other factors at play (such as skyrocketing rents), we will see a steady slowdown of population growth.

Steady cash flow from renting short term Lessons learned?

It'll be slow and steady.

That drive time has a pretty real opportunity cost (1 job that day instead of 2-3); however, for good pay, steady work, and repeat biz you may be able find a balance that makes sense.