Affordable California city's

[Austin Robertson]

I'm a first time homeowner looking to purchase an investment property and do LTR, MTR or STR. I currently live in coastal central California & can't find anything in my price range locally. I don't want to move & house hack a property in another city but am looking for city's where homes might be more affordable, say $500,000. I am pre-approved for a loan just under $500k and have enough for a downpayment. Would love to hear everybody's thoughts on what city's are affordable and have growth potential for an investment property