Best direction to take? SoCal

[Anthony Mondello]

So I'm looking to get into the RE investing and I also need a house to live in . I live and work in SoCal (the valley) which is pretty expensive but I figure I have a few options . Looking for some advice from some experienced investors on what you guys think would be the smartest and best route to take. I could buy a house single family live in it and fix it up then rent it and then find another ( more expensive area to be closer to work ) . Or buy a condo/townhome closer to work and live in , and also buy a house to rent out further away ( this would be around the same cost as the one house closer to my work)? Any advice greatly appreciated!