Are there any local meet ups or websites on where to find more people who have a moderate level of experience meaning they are  somewhat experienced but still looking to collaborate and network with more inexperienced investors like myself.

I can send a million articles, but i encourage you to go to maricopa.gov in addition to the city websites where you will see all the development going on here at a micro level. 

Yes I would agree you do need some level of expertise/experience.

I currently am a resident here (so distance is non-factor) and I possess some handy skills that could save renovation costs (besides HVAC, structural issues, plumbing, electrical work).

You need to polish your skills, bigger pockets is a great place to start... find a local wholesaler you can work for/with and he will guide you. 

Over-relying on a coach for every decision can hinder your ability to develop critical thinking skills and confidence in your own judgment.5.

But it's YOUR money, and Real Estate, to put it mildly, is a contact sport).Month 5: Deals & Network (15-18 hours/week)Submit first offersAttend 2-3 REI events monthlyBuild social media presenceKey Goal: First offer acceptedMonth 6: Scale & Automate (15-20 hours/week)Delegate initial tasksEstablish morning/evening routinesCreate follow-up systemsKey Goal: Sustainable weekly schedule🚫 Common Pitfalls to Avoid:Overcommitting earlyNeglecting W2 responsibilitiesSkipping system creationTaking on too many mentor calls✅ Success Markers:Consistent daily actionsGrowing networkClear systemsNo work conflictsSteady deal flowMaintained energy levels👉 Action Steps This Week:Audit your current scheduleBlock 2 hours dailyChoose your power hour (morning/evening)Set 30-day milestoneGeneral Comment:  obviously not everyone will follow these suggestions.  

Unless new companies create replacement jobs in the city requiring similar skills and pay comparable wages, your tenants may be forced to take lower-paying service sector jobs.

It will ultimately depend on price point and what level of service you want to provide. 

It also requires gaining a level of sophistication and knowledge that not everyone has the time, inclination or ability to do.