Which area would you invest in?...

[Erik E.]

I'm trying to make some preliminary decisions on where to buy and hold, and here are my options: Invest in current city, lived in area 10 years, expensive, but have awareness of jobs, neighborhoods, etc. Invest in childhood state, lived there 20 years, cheaper, comfortable to me Invest in a location I want to live in, no experience, must learn entire market I would imagine many people are/have been in a similar timeline in their lives. Which location do you think would be best to start out? Presume that you would not be moving back to your home state.