How to find the right market?

[Kyle Petitjean]

Hello All,

I'm just starting the whole real estate investing adventure. I am hoping to follow a buy and hold method and provide quality rentals in several different markets. I have set the goal of buying my first property by the end of 2019. I have spent the last few months listening to the podcast and reading several investing, along with talking with people I know who have invested in rental properties in the past. I feel like I am going a good grip on what the final product should look like in the metrics side of things but seem to be having an issue with finding a good market for long distance investing.

So my questions are...

How do you all go about finding the market that works for you? 

Do you use the 1% rule or are there other tricks to help dwindle down the many options?

Is investing in a city better than small towns?

Thanks for all your help!