Best markets to invest out of state in '21?

[Josh VanVoorhis]

Looking for some guidance on purchasing my 1st out of state rental property: 

-125k+ to invest 

-Looking for SFR or small MFR (2-3 units)

-Buy & Hold strategy 

-Living in CA (preference to invest in a close-by state) 

Currently re-reading David Greene's book on Long Distance REI & feel like I'm getting analysis paralysis.

In terms of location -- how do I start narrowing down the search to 2-3 cities?