It also would set up infrastructure if the economic situation deteriorates in the future due to strict social distancing requirements or even a possible lockdown.    

I'd recommend David Greene's book "long distance real estate investing" this is exactly what you need to mitigate the risks and headache of out of state investing.

Walking distance to train lines and between two expressway ways.

I was unfortunate (later fortunate) enough to get this long distance property under contract the week before the entire country shut down for COVID-19.

I also commute to NYC so I can't move too far out east. 

. - big catalyst for capital gains due to construction of a high speed train to the centre very close by (changes the commute to the centre from 1hr15 min to 15 min in a few years, when train station is completed).- the whole team (lawyer, broker, builders, ...) are great, transparent, very reactive and sharp. 

. :)There are no cut-and-dried rules with regard to the distance for comps.

I have long distance long-term rentals in Tennessee and Virginia and it is a Non-Stop annoyance with the management issues.

The goal is I've read the Ultimate Beginner's Guide and am almost done with Long Distance REI by David Greene.

"Remote work allows for precious time savings without a commute and potentially more affordable living away from job centers, but it can come with productivity and sanity costs without the proper tools," says Skylar Olsen, senior principal economist at Zillow.