Fresno, Temecula, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Texas?

[Jason L.]

This is a broad question, with an infinite number of answers...I realize that.  Just fishing for ideas and other's thoughts about these areas.  Or any other help others may offer.

I now live the Bay Area.  I rent.  I have about $300k sitting around.  My current job will give me $450k to help buy a house locally if I agree to stay here 10 years.

I realize that I don't want to buy a home here because I can do so much more with that money and make it work for me rather than being chained here with a mortgage.

I'm looking at areas to invest for cash flow and these are the preliminary cities I'm looking at.  I don't know the markets in any of these very well since I haven't lived in any recently.

Fresno : Reasonably close to drive to.  I've lived there and know the area.  I've owned and sold there for profit.  I don't know anyone there.

Temecula : I lived in San Diego and know the area moderately well.  It's a quick flight away that I can write off.  More affordable than the Bay.  I don't know anyone there.

Jacksonville : I lived in Jacksonville and know the city well.  I already have a property there.  It's way more affordable than the Bay and seems like the potential to cash flow there is good.  I have trusted friends there.  Laws are great for landlords.

Las Vegas : I know the city well.  I have family there.  It's a quick flight and a tax write off to visit.  More affordable.

Any comments or questions appreciated!

[Nicole Jones]

@Jason L.

@James Carlson mentioned I live and invest in Fresno. I own two multi-families and have been transitioning some of my units into Airbnb's. I can't offer advice on the purchase side. I don't know the markets in the other cities enough to offer a comparison. What I will say that may put Fresno higher on the list is that the Downtown area is expanding like crazy bringing many new businesses and overall people to that area. It reminds me a lot of what Portland went through around 10 years ago. New people are coming into that area from in town... but mostly out of town. I don't know what your exact plans are in terms of flipping or holding but Airbnb has treated me well here and I plan to keep expanding on that (most likely in the Downtown area) especially since Fresno is WAY under the radar of Airbnb regulations.