First timer looking to get started on my multi-family home empire

[Jesse E.]

Hi,

I am Jesse and I am brand new to investing in real estate. From all the info I have gathered thus far, it seems as though a multi-family property is the best seed for what I am looking to do. What I have found though is that everyone I talk to always seems to think they know the best way to go about it and that previous info I have received is not the best. Also, I have realized most people I discuss this with seem to end up telling me a path that may be right for them, but completely disregards what my end goal is here. Anyways, on to it...

What I am looking to do is build up a portfolio over say the next 10-15 years or so that will put me in a spot where I can have the portfolio kick me off enough passive income where I won't need to feel the stress of needing to work full time. Currently at 25, I have saved up a decent amount of money considering my age. My hope was to be able to get in to the first multi-family rental with roughly 15k-20k. If I need to go higher than that, I will consider of course, but I just like the comfort of having a bunch of cash aside from that. Some people might that that is being far too conservative, but I like the idea of having at least a years worth of living expenses in the bank.

I have heard so far that a 4-plex may be the best way to go (especially if I am going to live in it). Although, this would require me to sell my current house or turn it in to a rental. My only real concern with any plan that is devised would be my 1.5 year old son. The times that I do have him staying with me, I would really not feel good about him growing up in a sketch neighborhood. This would include North Minneapolis and even parts of St. Paul. 

I guess what I am really hoping for here is to find out if there is any way to get started without having to personally move in to a terrible neighborhood and lets say for less than $30k? Thanks in advance for any helpful tips and hopefully someone else has been in a similar spot before that could give me some insight.

Jesse