If you could move anywhere in the U.S. to begin RE investing right now, where would you go?

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If I were starting out I would probably try the midwest like Indiana or Ohio. Low prices, good rent ratios, and lots of properties to work with. The economy seems to be coming back as well. I really like the south like Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, etc but those markets have lost most of the overall deal look. I am sure you can still find deals if you look hard but they are not as common.

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Neil- lol, I was considering taking a teaching position in Saipan, but the economy in Saipan and Guam are both really bad. Plus it's common knowledge that the local governments are extremely corrupt. I think it would be very difficult to live and invest in either of those places. But I like where you're head is at!I grew up in Southern Ca (Orange County) and I've known it's always been expensive but I never knew the true situation until I started looking for real estate there. I grew up there, I want to go back there, but it's looking like I'm going to have to find somewhere else if I want to become a successful investor.Joshua- Montana, eh? My wife went to Missoula. That might be an easy sell. Thanks!Richard - I thought about Detriot. It can't go anywhere but up, right? I'll keep that in mind. thanks.

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I would invest in Columbus / Billings MTIf you find Great deals the Rent-to-Value ratio is Superb and yet there is great appreciation! Sorry, I know nothing of California

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konichiwa, BS!i was just in torrance earlier today. i find it too 'industrial' like gardena, for residential living although for commercial or industrial operations, its awesome! i moved to los angeles county fairly recently from nyc however my heart is forever in asia, my mom's ancestors' homeland. well my dad's a caribbean islander of mostly native amerindian descent but i find the caribbean is heavily europeanized, even with the afro & latino majorities. so, i tend to vacay and expend humanitarian efforts moreso in asia than here in the 'new world'.so if i could move anywhere within USA it would have to be even more 'West'ward til proximal to the Far East - HAWAII, GUAM AND OR MICRONESIA(!) would do - to feel most comfy. i'm a 'tropical islander' at heart and apparently it shows thru and thru cuz the local latinos tend to often tell me i must be from somewhere 'tropical' and at the same time i often getting asked if i'm japanese or part japanese. but for now i'm luvin socal, and i wouldnt say the LAC market is bad, just its soo comparatively premium priced across the board, even entry level bargains (i posted a thread on BP encompassing yesterday somewhere encompassing LA market) and the inventory is piling up due to sellers affected by the hyperinflation of the US dollar against imported Chinese Japanese and Korean funds galore! and just that OC may be better/more practical for actually finding some deals to INVEST in more affordably rather than splurge in.

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Joe Bertolino very well said Joe, I always ask people do they only buy stocks or mutual funds in companies that are in the city they live? Of course Not!!But they feel when they buy a rental property they need to be there and do it themselves.. There is a paradigm shift from being a landlord that does it themself to being an investor in real estate and looks at it like a business

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@Brigg SabolNice to meet you on Bigger Pockets. Just a thought, have you considered investing in Japan properties. The Japan real estate market is second largest in the world, behind the U.S. Since you have been living in Japan I’m sure you are familiar with areas of high yield properties that are much more affordable than the U.S. Also since your wife is Japanese, you may also qualify for financing. Nice to know that you have some advantages giving you more options than just the U.S.

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Does she have any single friends?

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Hi, Depending on your plan, you do not need to live where you invest- This will limit you in the long term. If you are flipping, yes, you need to be there to supervise etc. However if you are one of the many who look for long term cash flow there are many areas in the US that can accommodate.Do your research: I look for areas for solid employment, low crime, low cost of homes with a high net rent yield.I have invested in Houston, Salt lake city, vegas, phoenix, southern california and indiana. The one that is currently making good sense all around is indianapolis- or more specifically the city of Kokomo which is a about 1 hour north of Indianapolis.Solid employment, population growth, nice downtown area, etc

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So far thanks everybody! This thread has been really helpful. I've read all your suggestions and I'm researching your advice. Keep it coming.To add a little more interest in the discussion check out this article in Forbes about the 20 best cities for REI in 2015...http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2015/01/09...Thoughts?

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Live where you want and invest where the deals make sense. There are still deals to be had in CA and there always will be, you just have to dig a little harder to find them.