I am a SoCal native who migrated to Omaha, NE, and stayed due to the real estate market!

The unemployment rate, net migration, wealth, job creation, etc. all matter.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/621/topics/396725-millennial-migration-to-sacramento-2017---here-comes-the-rushhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/621/topics/444774-sacramento-neighborhood-map-and-ratings----finallyBest of luck!

Net migration is positive4. job growth is steady 5 wage growth is positive6. median income per month > 3x of monthly median rent7. median rent/median home price should be at least over .5% (it's hard to get 1% in today's market)8. renter percentage > 30%9. easy eviction process (landlord friendly)10. diverse big employers (top employers should be in different industries)11.

I have looked Into the Gastonia area as it’s growing as more people are migrating to Charlotte and it offers a decent commute ...

The big migration will slow down.

Focus more on job growth, net migration, economic diversity, and landlord/tenant laws.

Here in Cleveland, I have noticed a migration from one part of town to another and so I see lots of investors looking for cheaper homes in that location. 

I come from a family that migrated from another country and they believe in getting a job and building new business.

I would try to migrate to higher unit count properties.This is not to say that success with small unit count is not possible.