good areas for du/triplex in LOs Angeles?

[Elice Hennessee]

Hi, I'm brand new to the BP and still very new in learning the ropes. I'm interested in house hacking and rehab a duplex or triplex, but the Los Angeles area can be really expensive. I want something in a decent area, so I'm trying to stay away from area such as Compton or parts of South LA that are really cheap, but generally unpleasant areas to live, since I'll be living there as well. For those who are more experienced in this and with the Southern Cali area, can you steer me in any relatively reasonably priced areas with potential gain for a first time investor? Also, should this be done as personal purchase or only under a business entity such as an LLC? If the latter, how difficult is lending in this scenario? I'm not completely clueless, but I need a lot of advice. The more I research I do, the more this all seems quite overwhelming! All advice and help is sincerely greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!!!