My understanding from a person that grew up there is that the area suffers from major businesses that left in the 80s, causing higher income people to move out of those beautiful old houses.What's your thoughts Ryan ?

@Ray Jansma- The Lowell market tends to be locals that grew up in the area.

I've been an agent in Dorchester for 14 years and grew up there.

JC Penney gives you discounts for using their credit card.

I recently moved to SF from NYC, but grew up in Chicago.

Just following as I am also considering choosing Cleveland as the location for my first investment (either here where I currently live or Youngstown, OH where I grew up). 

So I began looking at my hometown where I grew up yesterday, and the prices are so much better for us!

I live in San Diego but grew up in Illinois.

This is just me but given the price:rent ratios in LA I'd rather not invest in that market.If you can find a great deal then by all means go for it but I'd be looking at out-of-state investments where I could get a better cash on cash return.If you grew up elsewhere or have local knowledge in another market I would look there as well to see if there are any more attractive deals.

One of the frequent money cases that people share with me is one spouse wants to invest to get out of the rat race but the other spouse is unwilling to do so because their family grew up with little money.