Investing Out of State?

[Jag Sekhon]

As someone looking to buy their first buy-and-hold investment property sometime within the next year or two, it's really disheartening analyzing properties in my area. I live in San Jose (right in the heart of the Silicon Valley in California), so my market (including the surrounding area) is full of very very very high priced real estate. Because of this, I have been considering investing outside of California. Do you think this is a good idea for a first time investor? It may be my only option to generate any kind of meaningful cash flow.

I understand that it depends on the specific deals, but any general advice would help. Any Bay Area investors who feel the same way? Anyone have experience investing oustide of their state? Any insight would help.

Thanks!

Jag