For both the benefits of access, and cost, as well as the knowledge gained.I am in Western North Carolina.

Working on buying a vacation rental in Western MA.

If you were to look at the western part, (Springfield) prices have rose but not to insane levels and there are still plenty of deals to be had.

This deal was sourced through New Western Acquisitions and sold on a first come first serve basis.

Areas in Springfield and Western MA are good too but too far for what you mentioned. 

Traditionally has met at Best Western Suites, 2000 Beach St., Fort Worth, Texas 76103 on Thursday nights.DFW REI Club – dfwreiclub.com – Meets about twice a month, normally on Saturday morning from about 9am-12noon at Hampton Inn -1600 Hurst Town Center Dr, Hurst, TX 76054.

Purchase price: $101,000 Cash invested: $20,000 Cute single family brick ranch house in western NY. 3 bedroom 1 bathroom house with a modest rehab. detached 2 car garage and decent sized fenced in back yard.

Many new house hackers I work with either look toward NW Chicago neighborhoods or the western suburbs like Berwyn, Aurora, Elgin, etc.

New Western is hosting in Event September 1st at Little Woodrows- Its going to be a GOOD ONE!

Hold off for a few months or look towards western NJ.