That's how I get a companion pass each year on Southwest. 

I would rate this area as C to D as you move street to street.Kenmore is located in the southwest corner is is undergoing a ton of beautification projects from the city!

Also, in researching the big shifts ahead from John Burns, I think the south and southwest are the long term future. 

I wrote about it in the below article.http://www.reluctantlandlord.net/southwest-airlines-model-my-inspiration/I am finding great shortsales, (albeit they are fewer and take forever) that are in great neighborhoods.

I'd say for landlord deals, based on my experience, South West and West Philadelphia and South Philadelphia (Point Breeze, Grays Ferry, Whitman, and Newbold, just to name a few) are prime areas as well as Olney, Kensington, and the Frankford, Bridesburg, Tacony, and Torresdale sections of NE Philly.

That had been the case, for instance, in Southwest Florida.

---------------------------------------------------I agree with finding safe neighborhoods near the L, brian, but you have a chronic case of "northsiderism" and are missing the whole southwest side opportunity.

Would love to start a Southwest Colorado REI Meetup Group as the closest groups I’m aware of are in the Denver and Northern Colorado (FoCo/Boulder) areas.

There is much job loss due to both items above, yet in certain areas, including SouthWest Bakersfield, the prices continue to rise. 

@Karen Tsoka Gravois‘s to Hampton Hampton to 44 down south west to kingshighway around tower grove down Morganford to holly hills back to Gravois  Would be the big square i would love to buy my first multi family / first time home buyer.