A lot of my friends started RE investing that way.

The only way to know if your idea is worth doing from a wealth building standpoint is to do the math:  What is the cost to acquire?

I’m open to ideas and keen to hear what approaches have worked well for others who’ve found success in real estate.

Ebooks, podcasts like @Bonnie Low suggested and start running numbers on every deal you see until you know how it all works.

Have you considered starting with a market that has strong rental demand and landlord-friendly laws?

So guess which route I started with? 

Thats awesome that you are going to start in MTRs, I had a lot of success with mine near the hospital in Temple.

I am new in BP, and I am looking to understand where I start with learning about REI.I currently live in New York which it's not a good place to start investing.i know the difference between STR,MTR,LTR....

But besides that just looking for other ideas?

You will start to see if you want to do what they do.