Hoping for a rental in Philadelphia -- HELP from a local please!!

[Jonathan Wildy]

I may be going to Philadelphia for a year or more and I'm thinking of buying a run-down house to fix and rent when I leave.  Something that is basically ready would be ok but I prefer to have the value of needing work to make this some equity.   

Is there a part of town that isn't going to make my husband and baby scared but might be up and coming?  

Are there recommended contractors for when I do find something?  

Any good information would be great.  I'd like to be 35K-135K ... more is just not in the price range for me and I have no clue for what rents are in the area.  

hoping we could have 2br2bath kind of thing or even duplex?  

OK... that's enough in one small post.