.: In California the right of redemption expires the day before the tax sale takes place.

Look on the bright side.....at least you're not in California....

I've acted as a "deal warning person" to many new California and a few NYC investors who I've talked to in person, Zoom, and phone calls who want to buy the Midwest or South because the price points are lower.  

Luckily coming from CA we have almost nothing you’d consider expensive.

I live in CA full time so only go to Portugal every few months.

- If I did buy a duplex here in CA could I live in one side while renting out the other?

I live in CA but am open to investing anywhere that makes financial sense.

You can give notice to one of the tenants, then move in and rent out rooms to further cut your living expenses.Yes, something I've considered but does require me to move from CA to TN, so big life change. 

If it’s in California they will chase you for state income tax if you ever sell your new property, even if you exchange out of state. 

I am looking to invest in Temecula,CA  with the purpose of renting bedrooms to traveling nurses.