Also looking for homes in Brentwood, Brentwood Park and Pacific Palisades with large lots and great views that are priced right.  

Rents will usually be higher in these areas, at least in most cities in the region I am in (Pacific NW). 

It think it's called the Pacific Northwest real estate meetup.

Best way is to set your keywords for Meetup +SeattleOf course, lucky you, I happen to be one of the three hosts of the Pacific NW Real Estate Meetup, we've had a bunch of successful meetups, and will be having another round come August.  

I have a conundrum here, and I'd love to hear some perspective on the subject.So my ultimate goal 5-10 years from now is to have $5000/month in cash flow.I am currently in the military living in Elizabeth City, NC, and I was really set on getting out and going to flight school out in the pacific northwest area, until recently discovering bigger pockets,  real estate investing, and the possibility of taking flight school nearby. 

I currently live in Charlotte, NC but am originally from the Pacific Northwest with strong family ties to Southern California and would like to eventually be a Design-Build-Developer in all three areas.

Within 6 months I was on a plane to Guam, way out in the Western Pacific.  

If I were you, I would look in depth into the numbers and being a landlord, as a long time landlord, I would tell you that paying 100k per 2 bed apartment needing work (even in Hamden) is rather pricey, and id be willing to bet that the listing agent knows that also. if the place were ready to go/updated, different story....bet your potential tenants will know that also. keep in mind, being a landlord means you will have to do at least the following:1. lead certs (an annoying expensive hassle every time a tenant changes over) or you could go lead free, prepare for that expense.2. rent court/evictions (might happen)...rent the movie pacific heights3. repairs/maintenance....particularly in an older building already needing some work.4. water bills....Baltimore city government's version of rape....prepare to pay every bit of 500 a quarter in a place like that, more if you have boilersAnd most of all YOU WILL BE LIVING AMONGST YOUR TENANTS. think of all the potential hassles that may present for you. baring the warnings, the house is in a good location, will rent easily if its clean and functional, and will appreciate to some extent over time. rent probably wont be a very big deal to get from people renting in this area, particularly at those rental prices. very important to know the functional condition of this property, particularly its functional systems (plumbing, electric, hvac, roof) and know exactly what being a landlord means. you will be doing work to earn that rent every month.

@Walter Roby jrI'm in the sf valley but work all over from Pasadena to Hollywood, Culver City, Santa Monica, Brentwood, pacific palasades to Malibu.

Welcome to Bigger Pockets and the Pacific Northwest!