Starting out advice (job + real estate)

[Josh Raikin]

In February I'm starting a job and relocating to the Bay Area (NorCal) from LA (where I am now). From May to September I have training in Dallas, TX, and then will be returning to the Bay indefinitely. 

My question is, when looking at my first property to buy, should I:

• Look strictly into Bay Area homes to house-hack (from Feb or Sept?)?
• Look into Dallas homes?
• Look into Bay Area homes (only) for my return there after Dallas?
• Or, none of those options weigh more than the other, as long as I start investing in property?

Thanks everyone for your help! Super new to this and just want to not screw myself over too much on a first purchase. I hear CA sucks to invest in overall, so would anyone recommend avoiding CA for a first investment?