Newbie Advice Wanted House Hacking

[Shyla Cooks]

My partner and I are very interested in getting into real estate via house hacking. However, it has been extremely difficult to come across a duplex that we like. We were interested in staying in one side and renting out the other. All of the duplexes that come up are in a horrible neighborhood or they are really old. How did you start your real estate journey? Is there a different avenue we can take? What recommendation could you give us? 

Any response is greatly valued.