Hi all! I have been having trouble deciding between two options regarding my first rental property, so I thought it'd be best to just ask the BP family :)

Context: I am a newly graduated college student (graduated in may!) who is working as an engineer for a major general contractor in construction. Due to the nature of my industry, we are relocated every several years once a project is finished. In this case, I am working on a new building for a hospital in the Los Angeles county area. I am currently living in a studio for 1500 a month, next to my job site. It eliminates all commute but it is definitely a hit to my expenses. I have really been pushing myself to get into real estate while I'm young and still have the flexibility to make mistakes. Here are the two options I've been stuck on:

1. I have been searching for SFH around my area (live in Los Angeles County in Southern Cali) to use as a rental property that I would hold long-term. The prices are pretty absurd, with the main area I am looking at having a median price of around 600/700k. I would use a conventional loan and try to make the 20% down payment. I could cover most of it, may have to find ways to raise money for the rest of the down payment, and I have a solid W2 job. I would then rent out that whole house all while living in my studio since I have a one-year agreement to stay here. I cannot house hack at the moment unless I break my lease. The pros are that I get my first deal, learn, get a rental property that will eventually add to my wealth in the coming decades, and set myself up as a lifetime real estate investor
2. Or I can wait until I move to my new project around January 2023. With the move, I can house hack a property around the new jobsite (still will be SoCal area), so I can afford a bigger property with the 5% down. Then with the FHA loan and renting out the rooms, I can cut living expenses down and eventually start earning monthly cash flow and equity in the property. The downside is I do have to wait a year and a half before my first deal.

I would really appreciate any feedback, comments, constructive criticism. I am blessed to have found the BP community when I was so young! Thanks, everyone