Beginner from California looking for buy and holds, saying hello!

[Juan Mayorga]

Hello everyone,

My name is Juan I am a public employee from Monterey CA. As the subject line says I am a complete beginner in real estate investing and BiggerPockets. I am looking into buying rental properties whether single family or multi-family homes out-of-state (upper mid-west possibly) in order to generate some additional income. My goal is to learn as much as I possibly can and purchase, if not be ready too purchase, by the end of this year. Too ambitious? Ultimately my long term goal is to retire early or at the very least have a good nest egg for retirement way down the line. There is a lot to learn!

Besides the very helpful forums here are there any other resources I should look into? Any cities to look into investing also?

Thanks to all of you for all your help!