Newbie in Utah, looking to invest OOS, maybe Florida?

[Nathan Kartchner]

Hello BiggerPockets! I've been lurking for a few weeks. Finally realized I need to get more involved in order to get the most benefit from this great community. I'm a Citizen Soldier in the Army National Guard and an Emergency Medicine physician. I'm just getting back from my second combat tour in 3 years to find that I've lost another job because I deployed (the hospital had to hire a different doctor while I was gone). While I'll continue to work full time as a physician I'm tired of just working more with no long term wealth building. I'd like to devote more of my time towards real estate investing to diversify my income and be more in control of my time. I'd like to get up to 10 doors over the next 5 years (I think). There is so much to learn about this process so I'm taking baby steps and looking for my first deal. Unfortunately there is nothing that makes sense in my area (Southeast Utah) so I'm looking for OOS properties. I know this shouldn't be a priority when considering where to invest, but I've been to Florida a few times on Army assignments and I love the Gulf Coast. A lot of online resources talk about how the market there could be good for investors. 

When I'm not being Army or working my W2, I'm exploring nature. Ski mountaineering, canyoneering, white water rafting, dirt bike riding, elk hunting, etc. Utah is a mecca for outdoor recreation. If anyone is interested in visiting Zion National Park it's just out my front door and I'd love to show you around. The only thing Utah lacks is an ocean (wink, wink Florida). 

Looking forward to getting to know everyone better. Hopefully I can offer some value in some way (maybe just an example of what not to do, at least initially).