New Investor in NJ - where to invest for cashflowing properties

[Ishwardeep Singh]

Hello,

I'm a new investor currently living in Jersey City. I'm looking to buy my first multi-family investment property for a long term buy and hold. Ideally, I would like the property to be within 1-1:30 hr of driving distance from me, so I'm considering properties in NJ, NY and CT.

What areas are investors finding cashflowing properties? As a newbie, I'm finding it hard to find good deals in this area, and the cashflow properties are in areas with very high crime rates (e.g. Newark). Since it would be my first investment property, I'm unsure whether I want to go to such areas without knowing what I'm getting into.

Any tips on areas I should be considering?

Thanks!