Rent apartment vs buy expensive duplex

[Christopher Filak]

Hello all! Currently single in my late 20s living in Charlotte, NC. I own a new build that I live in and rent by the room and my PITI is completely covered by the rents from the rooms. I realized I truly hate living with roommates due to lack of privacy.

I don't like where I live and it's not in the best neighborhood and want to move to a safer/nicer part of town. Most of the duplexes are 600-800k in the nicer areas(mostly all rennovated) and living in one and renting out the other come no where close to paying for the PITI and expenses and would leave me out of pocket 1.5-2.5k. MFH are very scarce in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.

Apartments go for 1.5-2k a month in the nicer areas. Wondering if I should just buy the duplex to build equity and have appreciation/equity pay down or just wait for the time being till better deals come up.