If you're planning to move in the near future - should you not start investing?

[Parag Shah]

I currently reside in NJ and am looking to start REI. I have a rough timeline where my girlfriend and I plan on moving out to San Francisco (for personal reasons) and searching for jobs out there within 6-8 months.

Does it make sense to purchase a property here for buy-and-hold? By the time I found something, closed on it, did repairs, and got renters in there, I would only have a couple months of self-managing before I have to leave in the hands of property managers.  I've heard for beginners it's important to self-manage since you need to keep expenses low and it's a valuable educational opportunity.

[Minka Sha]

I say go for it and get a property in NJ area - a place you already know. You don't know what future holds and you will be an investing in area you understand.