You want to compare the experiences available there so you know where you have to land to be successful in that market as a STR.Furnishing is the main cost that I didn't see and @Bryce Jamison hit several other ones.

I have been investing for more than 30+ years and had a terrible experience that is all documented.

After this experience, he will most likely choose for future projects to call DOT or get an email with preliminary approval to use AASHTO guidelines in lieu of DOT requirements for your project.

In my experience, once it gets to the no communication stage it usually never works out

Travel is mine, I wanna see the world, meet people, and experience life outside my comfort zone. 

This is because most DSCR lenders typically require a minimum of 12 months' real estate ownership experience before considering you for 30-year debt options.

I'm hoping everything continues so I can return to let everyone know about my first experience using a hard money lender. 

(which I like) so I would like someone with local experience rather than be the farthest flung property for a city-focused PM (if they'd even do it) and potentially become neglected or incur higher costs because of distance and/or unfamiliarity.A little help?

What skill sets and experiences have you drawn from? 

There is a lot that you don't know, but house hacking and managing the property yourself will give you that step, not leap, into property management where the mistakes you make will come with far smaller dollar signs and very valuable learning experiences.....and of course, you keep you hard earned rent in your pocket which will only help you moving forward.