Evaluating OOS regions for buy and hold

[Norman Berman]

Hi folks,

Total noob here. Reading books, but could use your sage advice.

I'm seeking my first 3 to 4 buy and hold investments over the next couple years. But my local area is too expensive, so I have to look to invest out of state. 

There are specific regions of the country I'm eyeballing, but they are broad swaths (PacWest, Great Lakes, etc.).

I need to narrow it down to specific cities.

What are your tips for how to evaluate, from afar, the right OOS cities for investment? What economic and social indicators should I look for?

Thanks! :-D

[Lane Kawaoka]

Stick with the major OOS markets like Birmingham, Atlanta, Indianapolis, St Louis, Kansas City, Memphis, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Greenville, Jacksonville, Tampa, Houston, San Antonio, Little Rock, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland, Ohio, or other secondary or tertiary markets.