If its West coast were deals are like Diamonds and tough as nails to find.. then the person that found the deal deserves more.Start at 50/50 and work whats good either way..

For general real estate investing, my own group, Black Diamond, url in my signature, offers free meetings in Worcester on the 3rd Tuesday. 

Since you are willing to come up this way the Boston AREIA is a good one to hit (FYI if you haven't been recently they moved to Medford) and definitely go to the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (Only probably a few minutes longer to get to than the old BAREIA location).Keep going through all the podcasts.  

I'd make sure to get to the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (2nd location in Worcester).  

As for Temple the area I would say is a good pocket to within Diamond Ave (North) Oxford Avenue (South) 11th St (East) 17th St (west) if you stay within that square you will be in good shape.

Are there a few diamonds in the rough?

Right near here is the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (2nd location in Worcester) which is a must go to for you.  

I went to some of the events organized in my area (NEREIA in Chelmsford, Black Diamond in Waltham, and Justin Silverio's quarterly meeting).

Another great local event is the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (2nd location in Worcester).  

Get out to the Black Diamond events.