I got a guy trying to sell me a duplex on the good/bad price hill border that could make close to $500 a month and I'd only have to put 4k up.

/Pulaski/Southwest Hwy, on the border with Oak Lawn.

To pool money like that w/o any kind of agreement borders on securities fraud.

I like a nice fat border of mulch or rock, with drought-resistant plants.

It is more complex when investing across the border.  

I agree, 38115 that is bordering 38118 is crummy, but we have several homes renting for $1,000 +.  

Thank you @Ron Averill  @John Cimino I am looking more so towards the PA border because I work in PA.

In one town where I farm, the definition of "single family" is limited to three unrelated persons maximum; in another town with borders touching that previous town, the definition of "single family" is limited to two unrelated persons maximum.

Schools around it are nothing special, it's right on the border between 1 better and one worse district, sadly it is technically in the worse district, but the high-school is good and there is a french-immersion school which is also good.

If you are near the border it may be worth it to look into more but if you are not then you are pretty much stuck paying the premiums.The maps are updated as technologies, methods and data become better at predicting which areas are higher risk but that is out of your control.