I frequently attend ones in Falls Church.

I live right down the road from Pensacola, in Destin FL and I also attend the PIG REIA, with JPaul and Corey.  

I plan on attending soon, when I'm not traveling for business.Good luck..  

There is great information in both of those resources.You should also set your keywords so that you will be alerted when a subject of interest is being discussed.Lastly, and most importantly, pick three REIAs and start attending them and networking with other investors.

If you want to find events that are going on in your area be sure to check out the Real Estate Events and Happenings area of BiggerPockets.

I am attending my first REI meeting next week and hoping to meet people there, but I would like some opinion on what I should do and how I should attack this. 

Hi Peter, I attend Ferris State University and am very interested in investing in real estate!

I just finished a year long fight with them last month where they went back to collect taxes from ten years ago from a retired couple that had no idea that the trade show they attended one time and sold a few items at meant that they had earned income in the state and required a tax return.  

I agree about SOFILook into house hacking ( duplex & multifamily ) If possible look into deferring student loans for 6 to 12 monthsResearch , study , and attend local REIA meeting over next yearDetermine your current market for investingDo run out purchase turn key properties without doing a lot of researchBring down your DTI by lowering or saving student loans Stock market will most likely be in sell mode until the middle of December( only my two cents )

I still have liquid available to put down in the event that I can find a loan.