New but Hungry! - from CA; investing out of state

[Vickie Y.]

Hello BiggerPockets! Have been religiously listening to the BP Podcasts to and from work everyday (thanks @Brandon Turner and @Joshua Dorkin), and "lurking" on the forums for the past 12 months - today marks the day that I officially join the BP forums :) 

A little about myself - born and raised in LA/OC, hoping to achieve financial independence through passive income generated with buy and hold rental real estate. Looking to make my first few investments out-of-state, and then gradually buy back towards the LA/OC area (but who knows where life will take me..)  The goal is 20 properties in 10 years :) Ambitious definitely, but I'm ready for the challenge. 

Would love to meet up with fellow investors in the area, and learn from the pros! Thanks everyone for such a great community!