Help in San Diego

[Ben Landis]

I live in San Diego and am currently trying to figure out how to get my first rental property. As of last year year we own a condo. The original plan was to live in the condo for 5 years and then rent it out so we could buy a house, but I have an itch to buy something before that to rent. My problem though is that real estate here is pricey especially with the market the way it is. Everything I have read says that your first rental property should be close to where you live and especially not out of state. I can only afford out of state at this point. Do I just need to be patient and keep saving? Risk out of state purchase? Look for someone to help me with a down payment? Thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!