I think that you can do quite well 5.5 hours from Pigeon Forge, but your target audience isn't going to be folks going to Pigeon Forge. 

@Diana Costta let's look at this logically:)There are really only two main reasons a property doesn't rent out:1) Not enough exposure to the right target audience2) The audience doesn't like the price-value relationshipTo drill down on what the problem is:1) How many views are you getting?

Frequent pest control will also help.  

We frequently hear landlords say: “I never have an issue with the city.”

East Lansing doesn't like rentals and charges huge fees for registration/inspections, and they do them frequently.)

Identify your target audience: Decide what type of tenant you want to attract and look for properties that will appeal to them.

Please note the information provided below is a layman's definition designed to provide a basic understanding for the general audience.

Basically, niche solutions to niche problems that have a dedicated, passionate and paying audience, typically web solutions.

I am aware that STR's require a higher level of service and have frequent turnover.

I'm not saying that it's impossible but one should be realistic about the time it takes to self manage and start up from finding a handyman/maintenance, GOOD cleaners, listing description, professional photos, dynamic pricing, frequently doing the enemy method, channel/booking/auto response managers, business hours, business phone, generating return statements, hiring and training virtual assistants/co hosts (which will expect a fee anyway), background/criminal/credit checks, dealing with tenant questions/demands, reviews.