My focus has been in South / Southwest suburbs and Northwest Indiana.

We follow the southwest airlines models, we have smaller profit margins but have smaller expenses at the same time.Everyone has a their own niche and way to success. 

I really love the style and architecture of the southwest, and am hoping to make my first purchase in the Tuscon, AZ area in the next 90-120 days.

I posted here about how my wife and I have been agonizing over buying a condo for ourselves in Southwest Fla for years: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/530/topics/32...We are close to talking ourselves out of it, mainly because we won't be able to use it that much over the next 3-4 years because our daughter is still in high school, and then we have plans to travel more and more of the world (vs hanging out in our condo) as we feel safer leaving darling daughter to her own devices. 

Also, I like Polonia and a bit north of that neighborhood on the southwest side. 

Once I have all the tools in place for SoCal, I'll be looking to expand into the South West region of the US including AZ, NM and NV.  

Yes, Southwest Riverside is Temecula and Murrieta.I have several properties that have done extremely well.Super strong rental market, great schools  Good employment (Lots of people commute out to San diego or Orange county, but a lot work here as well.)I now manage properties for owners here and they are extremeley happy with type of tenants, turnover, appreciation etc. 

Specifically in the south/southwest suburbs...anyone had much success recently with motivated sellers?

Further to the southwest there is rafting along the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Salida. 

Growth direction is generally to the southwest moving towards Wolfforth and strongest areas tend to be west of University and South of Texas Tech Campus/4th St.Where I'd be careful is being aware of property taxes if you are investing solo/individually.