Does anyone buy out of town real estate

[Diane Koehler]

Hi, my name is Diane from St.Petersburg, Fl.  I’m retired. I sold my house up north and bought for cash 4 duplexes to supplement my meager social security and little pension.  I now have what I consider a very decent income.  I don’t like owing money so I like to buy in cash so all the profit taking is mine.  One question I have is that real estate here in Pinellas County (Clearwater, St. Petersburg) has gotten very expensive and the rents don’t equal the 1 percent rule.  Example, a typical duplex sells for around $260,000 and each unit rent is only around $1,000-$1,100.  So now I’m thinking of investing out of town.  I tried Pennsylvania, but the houses are so old, like 90 to 100 years old and need a lot of work.  Taxes are pretty high and rents are low.  So I would like to see if anyone has any ideas.  I was looking in Memphis, TX.   Cheap houses there.  Right now I’m just looking.  Not ready to buy for cash and use up all my savings.  I have $100,000 equity line but not sure I want to use it.  
just thought I would join this forum and see what happens.  Thanks for listening.