I currently live in the Bronx and there aren't any affordable $400K multifamilies in my area.

I'd like to live within 30-mins driving or Uber to a major hub airport with affordable, direct international flights (EWR, JFK, MIA, FLL, ORD etc. are examples).

One factor that is important as well is your current salary, since that will be a strong evaluation when the lender does your preapproval, they need to know how much you can afford and if your able to pay the mortgage most importantly.If you plan on buying out of state, you will be getting some cash flow, less appreciation than California.

All this for a low price.We just need them to be little courteous and patient and not be so bossy.Can't afford a property manager.

You have to figure out what you can afford and balance that with the time you have.

Option 2 seems like a more conservative approach but may take BRRRRing off the table so you will need to save longer to afford the down payment on the next property.If you haven't done it already I would run all of the contingencies through the BiggerPockets Calculators to see what will give you the best bang for your buck.I wouldn't get hung up on the fact you've never BRRRR'd, nobody has done it until they do it and plenty of people out there have proven that it is possible.

A big issue when prop 13 was up for voting was also that property taxes were going up so much so fast that the elderly were being taxed at a rate that they could no longer afford to live in the home they had lived in for decades. 

And obviously you can afford the monthly before your new loan closed.

We know we may have to grab it outside our local area due to the high prices of California so we are studying Bakersfield, Patterson, Visalia, Monterey County which are more affordable markets since we are very familiar with those areas. 

I will be paying the initial amount only, and I don't want to be the only responsible person for the future maintenance or customization charges(I don't mind being a part of the same, but can't fully afford the entire cost!).