Kitchen Cabinet Quality

[Curt Bixel]

I have recently purchased a duplex in Columbus Ohio.  It is in an area of town where most of the rental properties would be considered C level.  I have a good feeling about this neighborhood, and expect it to improve rapidly.  

Presently, however, no matter how well the property could be fixed up, it will not command a high rent.  Where my rentals in another part of town get $1600/mo for a 3 bedroom property, for this 3 bedroom property, I think $900 per month is about as much as you could possibly get no matter what.

This means the decision about what level of cabinetry and flooring to get for the home when I renovate.  

For example, I can get a 36 inch wide assembled and pre-finished kitchen base cabinet for $150 at Home Depot that looks perfectly nice right now, but will likely not be durable.  I am curious if this would be the cabinet to purchase.  My gut says that I should go with a higher quality cabinet, possibly solid wood instead of cardboard, so that I would be able to stand up to some abuse.  

I am curious what those with more experience might be able to tell me.