Looking for good deals in upstate NY

I have been trying to get into real estate for years. Bought two properties in 2004 in CT, and it has been a nightmare since day one (bad area, a lot of evictions and repairs) I have lost a lot of money in the 6 units property. I want to move on now, but need advice and guidance on where to buy.
I work full time in NYC (commute 4 hours every day to work), my baby will be 3 in September 2014 and was diagnosed with autism last year. He needs my help, but I do not have much free time to be with him, and I need to change that now.
I have been feeling so guilty for not being around more for my baby that I took a 7 months leave of absence from work to spend more time with my baby and get him involved in more programs to help him with his delays/autism. I need more free time, and I feel the only way of getting this time is by trying to get into real estate. I would love not to go back to work and become a full time real estate investor to support my family, but I am scared of making more mistakes in real estate and selecting the wrong area to invest again. I have bought many real estate books, attended many real estate seminars, paid for personal coaching with no results, but I still believe in real estate….. It is my only hope now to spend more time with my baby. Hope to find honest and sincere people in this site willing to help me with their experience and advice.