Ok to sacrifice cash flow for Owner Occupied?

[Nichole Landow]

Hi Everyone, 

My husband and I are looking to start investing in real estate, and we'd like to start with a house hack.  We'd plan to live in this property for 2-3 years while we build equity and plan our next move.  We recently looked a duplex that we could really see ourselves living in, but since it's only a duplex, we'd have to pay part of the monthly expenses to live there.  Some other properties we've looked at (3-5 units) would allow us to live for free, but we honestly couldn't see ourselves living there.  We both work full time, so I think the downside I need to consider would be a slow down to our ability to save and calculating the opportunity cost of our savings.  

The duplex would have positive cash flow once we move out and rent both sides.  Thoughts on a short term sacrifice on cash flow to live more comfortably?  Or should we wait for a property with more units to come on the market?  What am I not considering?  

Appreciate the insight!