Newbie from Thousand Oaks, CA looking to invest in Birmingham AL

[Ariel Robinson]

Hello everyone! My name is Ariel and although I've been a member of Bigger Pockets for a little while,  I've only recently started lurking and delving into real estate investing. 

Because a lot of the  real estate market in California is very expensive now, I'm looking to start out as an out-of-state buy and hold investor of rental properties. 

I'm originally from the South,  NC, specifically, so I feel I'm most comfortable investing in the South,  particularly NC, SC, and AL for now.  I've currently set my sights and research on Birmingham, AL, based on research I've done concerning its current and futue economic development plans and my financial situation.

I work FT in healthcare,  so this will be PT until I can gain enough cash flow to make it FT.

Currently, I'm reading the Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing as well as Long Distance Real Investing. 

 I'm super excited to be a part of this community! I've already learned so much from the forums and podcasts, and am preparing to make my first deal soon.  I've been reticent about posting on the forums because I felt that I'd ask stupid questions,  but I've seen how the community really steps up and is active with answering questions even if it's been asked multiple times,  so that makes me feel much better about the many questions I'm sure to have. 

Thanks for reading this lengthy introduction and I look forward to acquiring knowledge and at some point helping others as well.