I’m on the east coast and properties are insane here, will surely have to branch out. 

Hey Casey, I just found a portfolio of two fourplexes on the east side of town.

The lease is up in July and we plan to move to East Valley because we both work in Tempe.

In Detroit Area, I consider East English Village, Bagley, Detroit University, to buy first house turn key around 150-200k, than after I gain some experience(~6 month) with just renting, go to the next level of complexity and do BRRRR there with people who I can trust after first deal. 

In terms of actual areas in the bay, do folks recommend one of the following:South Bay ; East Bay ; TriValley or SFOr would you recommend sitting on the sidelines, wait and watch, and do a HYSA/CD to see how/where the market heads ?

But take a look just to the East over in AZ.

Most of my clients purchase turnkey investment properties in areas like Old North, Merion Village, Southern Orchards, Old Towne East/King-Lincoln Bronzeville, Driving Park, North Linden, North Hilltop, Franklinton, Reynoldsburgh, and Hungarian Village.

I do travel a lot back east to the markets I work in..

I grew up on the east side of the town with a well versed knowledge of the neighborhood.

You dont LOL, the N east is crazy high with very low returns and terrible to landlords.