Maybe other investors here on BP who made a straight dive out of state with their very first property (without family in that state to help, being the state you grew up, just sheer luck or other reasons that will skew the opinion/experience) can chip in. 

The reality here is that certain people want to be in certain neighborhoods due to location and where they grew up. 

I grew up in Denver but prior to moving back I lived and worked in the city for 10 years, so I understand the cost of living (even though I think it’s even higher now).

My buildings are 1880-1920s student rentals and I grew up in an 1880s house in the hip area of town.

I grew up in North County SD and recently moved to Temecula.

I'm currently in Columbus, but grew up in Morris County NJ. 

Hi guys,So I have lived in a house, in an expensive neighborhood for 10 years,  my  child grew up there so I am very attached to that house and so is my son.

I live in NYC but grew up in CT so I am very familiar with the Fairfield County area.

We began with a small unit goal, and certainly grew it steadily from 10 units, 20 units, 40 units, and 100 units now to over 200 unit of multifamily properties!

I know Saint Louis well (used to live there and grew up just down the road).