Newbie from Northern California, Bay Area

[April Zhang]

Hi Everyone,

Excited to be part of the BP community! I very recently learned a bit about real estate investing from a family friend, who recommended the Bigger Pockets YouTube channel. Since then I've started on the Podcasts (only 2 episodes in), and just signed up for the online community. Definitely a newbie :)

I'm in my late 20's and working in marketing around the Bay Area. I have a lot more to learn about RE Investing before I should choose my niche and strategy, but so far, I'm more interested in developing a plan for buying and holding multi-family complexes for cash flow. I don't own any personal property now, and I'd like my very first purchase to be an investment. Since the San Francisco area and surrounding cities are so expensive, I'm also interested in looking to buy in cities further away or even other states. Are there a lot more risks to buying in non-local regions? 

I'm very open to connecting with anyone who has experience based on the Bay Area. My professional expertise is in mobile user acquisition, which is a bit irrelevant, but would love dive in and help anyone in the community in exchange for education about RE. Or just to connect and meet a new friend in the area. 

Heading out now to buy Rich Dad, Poor Dad!