Chicago Real Estate Investor Meetups (straightupchicagoinvestor.com)I run a meetup in Berwyn if you want to get connected in the western burbs. 

Winters are milder than western Pa. and no lake effect snow. 

For the western WA investors out there - what events/groups have you found most useful?

Our office is on Western ave in Albany. 

I'm a new investor in Kalamazoo, MI and am looking to grow my portfolio with an emphasis on student rentals close to Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College.  

@Tom Stine you need to cross the Rockies - better deals on the western slope. 

I love seeing other people succeed in the STR space.I'm planning on making my first land purchase in Western NC for an outdoor retreat - as the market slows down this winter.

That also gives it a better shot of being removed in the future when enough people see the negatives piling up.I can take the proceeds from the seattle duplex sale and buy outright a fairly modern ~6 unit property (60's and up) in some secondary and many tertiary markets in western washington,    and with no more than 50% financing I can be looking at 8-12 units properties in secondary and tertiary markets.   

@Jose Castillo, since you are in Western Mass, look for Western Mass REIA, I believe they are listed on FB and on meetup.

Rebecca I work for a real estate investment firm called New Western Acquisitions, were I've helped investors locate and target areas to maximize their money doing flips.