Instead I want to take advantage of the opportunity I have of living rent free to invest my time and money in STR's to hopefully build that portfolio up and eventually make that my main source of income (I understand that will take time).

There are a lot of work opportunities in NYC of course.

There are two issues (opportunities?) 

The area’s limited number of apartment buildings means that many renters prefer single-family properties, creating steady demand for these homes.Having assisted numerous buyers in Little Rock, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities this market offers.

When you can access the opportunities first, you can qualify the lead first, analyse and find the best deals first, reach out and build rapport first , offer your solution first (rather than having your offer thrown on a pile of others the individual has already been given) and so on.

All the opportunity, weather, food, and culture you can ask for.

I've never done any Sacramento STR loans and only been hit up for one potential financing opportunity there.

If you are looking in Los Angeles, than you will likely not find many opportunities on the MLS based on today's rates, unless you put a large downpayment.

However those that are .. i see this stuff as fine tuning  and there is network opportunities for those doing deals.. but it cant be Hey I am just a beginner and i have no real capital and just because i am part of the club you should do deals and include me.. does not work that way. 

If you come across a better opportunity here in AZ where if you can take your 1M and turn it in to 1.2-1.3M ( maybe a value add deal) sell the house, take the equity and use it to get a bigger return.