I was commuting 30+ minutes 1 way to my $6/hr job bagging groceries, or riding a bike nearly 1 hour each way.

It sounds like your current job works well with your school schedule so it may be beneficial to just ride it out there until you're done with school.

The journey of real estate investing is full of learning, challenges, and ultimately, the satisfaction of creating something of your own.So, enjoy the ride, and let your passion for property guide you towards success!

By staying informed, you can make smarter decisions, avoid potential pitfalls, and seize great opportunities.So, whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, remember that staying informed is your trusty compass in the exciting world of real estate.6.2 Adapting to Market ChangesAdapting to market changes is like being a skilled surfer riding the waves.Just as a surfer adjusts their position on the board to stay upright on changing waves, real estate investors must adapt their strategies to succeed in a shifting market.Imagine you're investing in real estate, and suddenly, the market starts to change.

Indeed it is a far train ride. 

If you're going to use a PM make sure they have dealt in this tenant base for a while.If you're really interested I would recommend taking the plane ride from FL to Cincinnati for a few $$ and check out the property and neighborhood.

Tim-If you're just trying to "rough" in costs of repair for rehab work, you're potentially in for a rough ride.

I've lived in Pittsburgh since 2007 and I would best characterize this city as one where out-of-state investors ride in breathing fire at high noon, but slink out of in the dead of night grimly determined never, ever, ever to discuss the shaved orangutan they woke up next to.

You may be able to draw in some of that demographic as well, because Gatlinburg is often an area that hikers will head to because they can often hitch a ride from a parking lot at Newfound Gap. 

As a comparison you could invest in southern CT (bridgeport), which is also only a 55-75 min train ride, find a similar property and only pay 5k a year in taxes.