How does an investor learn their market/one they are moving to!?

[Daniel Fitzroy]

Hi folks! Quick update on my current situation for those that don't know I relocated from western MA to a small city in Dutchess county York and moved my girlfriend/son into our nice new apartment and things are finally smoothing out I even got a new job close to home running a front end loader moving cars around. I'm down to 3,500 on my truck payment now and will be taking that 500 a month to stash away for my first duplex in a couple years or less! pressures on! haha,  

Anyway I am looking for information/advise from you guys as I hang out on the forums regarding how to learn a new market? assuming im a buy and hold brrr investor how would one go about learning about a market and what basic info should they be seeking to understand to help them get started on their first deal? 

perhaps one should drive for dollars or maybe analyse one property per day using the bp calculator like brandon suggests? Or start learning which streets/parts of town are safe to invest in? any other tips from you guys or advise is greatly appreciated as I have no clue how to understand a market and im looking for basics here! thanks!