First investment property: Backyard rental or out of state?

[David Donald Henning Jr.]

I'm looking to buy my first rental property, so I've been analyzing a bunch of nearby markets. Most, if not all, of these markets have been decreasing in population, job growth etc.; so, I've been looking at different out of state markets to start out in instead. I was hoping for some feedback on using this long-distance real estate buying method for my first property. Should I invest out of state for my first property? Should I continue to look in my area for better markets? What are the major differences between long distance and backyard real estate rental properties? Thanks for the feedback and support everyone!