Conservative investing or a different strategy?

[Jonathan Marsh]

I've always been so impressed and inspired by those of you buying properties in LOC areas, fixing them up, and cash flowing or flipping.

I went more of a conservative route - Bought a $400k house in Austin, TX pre covid w 5% down and a 2.3%IR, lived in it for a year, then bought another $520k house w 20% down at 4.25% IR. The first house is cashflowing slightly and the one I'm in now will likely cost me $200/month for a few years. 

I'm moving to Columbus, OH next year and am thinking about my options. Option 1 is buying a house in one the most desirable neighborhoods downtown for ~$450k with ~15% down and living in that for a few years before moving to the suburbs and buying again, or, renting a place and trying to buy a house in a B/C class neighborhood, renovating, and trying to actually have some short term gains.

Is there anything else I should consider or anything obvious that I'm missing?