how can I start in silicon valley???

I want to start real estate investing. But I live in Silicon Valley where prices are outrageous. Cheapest home is 500K, while duplexes never go below 700K, and those are really bad ones. Good ones stand at 1M. I was thinking of buying a duplex and renting out another half, but there is not way – even cannot break even after tax deduction.

Any suggestion or comment on how to invest in Silicon Valley area?
Thanks!

can you start somewhere else? maybe in TX, AZ…
they prices look more realistic, I think…