Is it worth buying a Multi family in Los Angeles County

[Veronica Solorio]

Hi, total newbie here so apologies if this is answered elsewhere. Briefly, 35F, married to 33M, both ER physicians. Currently, living in Houston but planning to move back to California in 2-3 years. We are well compensated but will take a pay cut moving back, I’d guess a combined income of $500k/yr. My student loans will be paid off and his will hopefully be forgiven after 10 years of public service. I would really like to live in the South Bay but don’t want to be house poor. Wondering if it is at all advisable to buy a multi family property in a less expensive neighborhood and then hopefully purchase a “forever home” a few years later. Or should we just save the down payment, buy the forever house and invest in stock rather than trying to invest in LA real estate hoping for passive income later? Hope that makes sense and thanks for reading!