How to evaluate prospective locations?

[Annalisa Brown]

How can I find accurate information on the population growth, job growth and rental statistics in an area? How can I learn about the quality of life in a certain city or county as far as safety, how long people stay in their homes, whether or not the area is improving or declining?

 I always just google these things and find a small amount of information no matter how much I dig. 

 I'm looking at finally pulling the trigger and purchasing my first property - a duplex to house hack while I get my real estate license, contractors license, and generally learn how to manage a property and save up another substantial down payment and eventually scale up. I am looking to move to either Port Angeles in Washington or Big Bear in California and find a good market for small multifamily and single family buy and hold with the possibility of occasional flips to build capital. I'm willing to branch out into neighboring counties within reason. I'm used to driving 2 hours one way to simply get groceries. 

[Michael T.]

Anna,

There are a few websites that I use but typically each city has there own specific data.  A few of the websites that I use are; 

https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/...

www.bls.gov

www.city-data.com

When you decide to get you're real estate license let me know and I'll tell you the trick to quickly get through the classes and pass the test. :)

Let me know if there is anything that I can assist with while your in the process of pursuing your first investment and your license.