300K..Invest in San Antonio (TX) or Raleigh (NC)?

[MJ Jav]

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie in RE and need your expert opinion. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, have a solid W2 job and a high credit score, and want to invest in SFH or a duplex in San Antonio or Raleigh (ok with neighboring cities). I have done a lot of research and narrowed it down to these two cities (I know someone from Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana would comment on investing in those states., but please don't..I am only interested in TX or NC). I like Texas, but the only thing that holds me back is the higher property taxes compared to North Carolina.

1- Money: ok to spend 200-300K (prefer to put only 20-30% down) and invest in a couple of properties than buying one in cash

2- Prefer cash flow (of course, appreciation would also be great)

3-Prefer SFH over duplex just because with SFH (in a good neighborhood), I probably would have less headache and drama

Here are my questions:

1- Which city do you invest in and why? 

2- Would you consider any other city in NC or TX? Why?

2-Am I correct in thinking SFH has less headache over multi? if not, why not?

3- How would you spend the 300k for investment?

Thanks,

MJ