Househacking decision? Need help

[James Nix]

Would you buy a duplex that needs about 15-20k in renovation (Dad has a construction company & I am also very handy so plan to do a lot of the work myself) which has negative population growth( -6% since 2000) but is around the corner from your job(literally walking distance)

Or would you

Buy a duplex in a growing population location (22% since 2000) that's 45- 50 mins away from your job which you would have to pay about 60-80k more then your budget in your criteria or that you wanted to pay for your first property.

I work for a government job & have been there for over 5 years. I also don't plan to quit soon well not for 3-4 years because I actually like working there. I'm househacking it so I won't be tied to the area, well hopefully not that long( My Goal is to buy 20 units in 3 years).

So my question is which duplex would you choose to buy & why?