We are interested in purchasing a single family home on the coast between Portland area and Desert Island area to use as a vacation home/possible future retirement spot for our family and to Airbnb/VRBO when we are not present. 

Be certain to do all your homework about the Desert (Palm Springs) area.

yeah I’ve been looking to save up to buy a multi family in the high desert and thanks for the tips I appreciate it!

I think the 1800s land grants are about over by now.you can get cheap land in the intermountain west and high deserts.. 

I even took him over some deserts for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday as a 'thank you'.  

If you've recently moved to AZ I'm sure you're familiar with the very same reasons many people are flocking to our desert from other larger metropolitan cities.

@Andrew Johnson  that was my first thought check CCR's and HOA for ability to rent .. monthly is usually OK but that high end of property may preclude it altogether.. but being the desert maybe not.. but something to defiantly check out.. prior to launch.. we see that on BP from time to time.Hey I just bought this house now I can rent it LOL..

Here is a link to the Desert Sun article: https://www.desertsun.com/stor...

It was also founded by indentured servants, escapees from same, soldiers & deserters & people who believed in community, helping one another, ( think of community House raising/barn raising as just want example). .A founding father created concept of free libraries e.g.

@Dale K Poyser If you buy right, there is a opportunity for cash flowing in Bakersfield, the "High desert", and a few other areas that have lower than typical California values.