@Rick BaggenstossThe reason i look at the Korean migration patterns is this Asian demographics will more likely migrate to a new city/area for better entrepreneurial and lifestyle opportunities more so than the Chinese & Japanese who are more likely to root themselves in 1 tier world class cities like New York, San Francisco and LA and stay put.

Anyway, I'd like to plant some roots here.

Hi John,  The best tip I can share that is the root of my quiting my day job on buying rentals is join one or more local REIAs.  

I am a licensed broker, knowledgeable, and well versed in the San Marcos market, as I have been deeply rooted in it for the past 10 years... please feel free to touch base at anytime, should you desire to discuss this option, and/or any others, further.

You never want to BUY your cashflow which is the root of this issues.

A lot of changes are happening in various areas of the city, the police are patrolling more, neighbors are forming task force to reduce crime, business are moving in & increasing property values.You need to remember, some people live in these areas because that is where they grew up, that is where they feel comfortable with, they have family there, their roots are there,  A lot of these areas have really good people living there who are trying to get by.

Also, while I live in CT now, I'm originally from Michigan (I'm sure the last name gives away my Hollander roots) and there's a good chance we may be back in the Grand Rapids area.  

You will not learn everything  but trial and root is the name of the game.

The only place I don’t have family or roots so-to-speak is my current city of Charleston SC.

And then you are looking at condos in CA for sub 10k I would think that's a typo...My roots are Milwakee based and I am thinking of moving into that market and helping some investors get started