Daymeond,
For your 1st few rental properties I recommend exploring Jeff City. You can get quality properties at good prices.
When advising clients on price point & location the first question I ask is: "What could happen to cause you to NEED to sell this property over the next 12 months?" If they quickly give any answer, I advise them to purchase rental properties in areas with a higher % of owner-occupants.
Example:
In St Louis we have some great Pure Cash Flow play areas. (i.e. decent schools, stable rents, close to jobs & transit) You can buy these properties for $20-$25K & rent for $600-$650 per month. The challenge is you will only be selling the properties to other investors and have very little chance to sell to owner-occupants. Other areas you will pay $50K-$65K and get rents of $750-$850 and when it's time to sell you will have potential owner-occupants. These areas will give you a greater buyer pool.
It will be a learning experience and being close will may the experience more profitable in the long term.