@Joe Henry There are many cities, specially in the Midwest, where the SFR market is very strong. You'll find properties that are, if not cheap, less expensive that in other mayor cities and aren't as competed; and by that I mean that you can still find great deals on the MLS any given day. In many of these markets is easy-er to get a monthly rent of 2% of what you paid for. Today, in Cleveland, Pittsburg, Columbus, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and many others, you can still find a great fixer upper for $45,000, rehab for $20,000 and rent it out for $1,300 (1,300/65,000=2%)
You should take advantage of the opportunity to relocate to anywhere in the country and chase after strong and more profitable deals. Having said that, it's a steep learning curve trying to figure out the particularities of every market and learning to make money in a market you don't know is quite a challenge. For this, you will want to do an extensive analysis, across all states and the different asset classes within your possibilities, in order to determine the optimal use of your money and which markets offer you the conditions for achieving your investment objectives.
Finally, an easier way to gain experience while putting your money to work, might be to find people who are already doing business successfully in a certain market and partnering/investing with them on their fix and flips, turn key or whatever interests you. You can oversee the the work and learn as the project develops.
Now, it might not even be necessary for you to leave your city if that is the area you already know. There is always someone doing money, good money in every market; there is always someone doing a better job than the next guy, it is simply a matter of how. If you can find who is doing well in your market you can alway approach them.
There are tons of information, papers and data you can research online. I'll leave to examples here... but probably the best thing you can do is just connect with other investors and simply absorb all you can.
http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/10/14...
http://www.realtytrac.com/news/home-prices-and-sal...
Good Luck!