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Updated over 6 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Ethan Aycock's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/986105/1621506862-avatar-ethana14.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=1052x1052@0x35/cover=128x128&v=2)
Long distance investing
I live in an expensive area. Would it be better to long distance invest or short term to begin with?
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![Ellie Perlman's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/859351/1621504571-avatar-ellie_perlman.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=456x456@0x30/cover=128x128&v=2)
@Ethan Aycock - it depends on your strategy. I live in LA, where cap rates and (cash flow) returns are compressed - which is great for investors who are interested in appreciation (vs cash flow). So if you want a (potential) high payout somewhere in the future, than core markets such as LA/NY/SF etc will be good markets for you. On the other hand, cash flow investors, like me, tend to invest in secondary markets. I invest in FL and TX, where appreciation might not be a s high as in LA, but the cash flow is significant and much higher than in core markets.