New to BP. Looking to learn all I can from the expects here. Excited to get going!

[Brock Looysen]

• Hi my name is Brock, I'm 28 and live in Yucaipa CA. I'm a first year PE teacher, so I'm not making much $$. I have a wife and daughter and hopefully a few more kids in the future. I am determined to provide for them so my wife can stay home and raise our kids, but right now she has to work full time as well just so we can get by. My ultimate dream is to become completely financially free by the age of 40 so that I can have all the time in the world with my family and be the dad who is physically present that they will so desperately need. Also, I have a goal to travel the US with my family where we'll go to all 50 states in 50 weeks!
  
• I haven't bought my first rental yet. I'm nervous but excited to start down the path of RE investing. I know I want to invest out of state because home prices in CA are ridiculous. My biggest issue is not knowing what market would be the wisest to get into.
• My goals with Bigger Pockets is to learn from all the experts who have done it before and can help guide me to success. I would love to build some real life connections here, especially once I know where it is I want to invest and I can dive in deeper to those specific markets.

[Simon Ashbaugh]

Hey Brock, welcome to BiggerPockets! When doing out of state investing, you should have a system in place to ensure your success. Establish your Core 4, identify a strategy and choose a market that aligns with it. If cash flow is your top priority, Cleveland's reliable rents and predictable income could be a strong contender. However, if your sights are set on long-term appreciation, Columbus' ongoing population growth and strong economic factors point towards potential value increases down the line. I'd be happy to connect if you wish to know more.