This is my first day on BiggerPockets and I've already learned an amazing amount in the two hours I have been on the site, but I figured the best way to learn would be to ask the knowledgable and experienced BP Investors.I just moved to Los Angeles after graduating with a real estate degree.

You poor thing ... stuck near the Pacific ocean, in 75 degree weather, in one of the most profitable real estate markets in the nation.

To make a long story a little shorter, I graduated from a four year university with a degree in graphic design only to realize my skills were so specialized that employment opportunities were ostensibly non-existent.

PEX is about 45% of the market and CPVC about 16% of the market.PEX and CPVC can handle higher temps (up to 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit) than regular PVC.

The last job I had before I was "retired" paid just under six figures - I have no degrees, I just happen to be one of a few hundred people in the world who do what I did as an IT pro.

Due to the school growing in the area (they are adding more degrees like a physician's assistant degree) and they are currently at 60% occupancy of the land they actually own in the area, you can see there's only growth potential for a rental market within 1 mile of the school itself for a while so the equity will continue to increase in value while I continue to collect rent at the local market price.  

And to some degree, it's about your comfort level.

Having said that, there are different degrees.

The veteran was in between his freshman and sophomore years on a 4 year degree plan at a 4 year university. 

Beyond that, any forced appreciation you can create or deal below fair market value you can find will insulate you to some degree from short term market fluctuations, as do your down payment and cash reserves, so it is a question of how much "insulation" do you need to sleep comfortably.