The other area is east of Prospect which is super run down and again high poverty concentration.

There are professional training certificates for trades, 2-year associates degrees with concentration in very hands-on fields, and plenty of 4 year colleges where you can take 1 or more classes at a time, and not have to go all-or-nothing.In addition to the degree (even a 2-year degree is a college degree and confers a certain amount of respect), you network like crazy, have fun, do some growing up, and if you choose your college right, you have the opportunity to learn in-depth in areas that truly can help you along your chosen life path. 

And if you haven't already, I would begin to figure out: 1sts vs. 2nds, which states you will concentrate in at first, which servicer/vendors/attorneys you'll start out with, etc.

In March, I accepted a job offer as a Senior Analyst and Accountant in Phoenix, AZ, where I now work a normal 8-5 and can concentrate on studying real estate investing in my spare time.My long-term goal with real estate investing is to acquire buy and hold rentals that generate enough monthly income for me to be financially free.

Ideally, if it could be an M-F 9-5 job so that I can concentrate the evenings and weekends on building my RE knowledge. 

What about concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide?

It sounds like you might gain economies of scale if you consolidated, but if you put all your properties in a single geographic region, you face risk by being too concentrated.

I will concentrate on social media.

Find people that will be able to help you, and concentrate on really becoming their friend.

I'm currently attending ASREB (Arizona School of Real Estate and Business) and am a former graduate of California University State Fullerton with a Marketing concentration.