Nicest sections are closer to Grandview Ave/Duquesne Heights.verna- out side of Pittsburgh: I think you meant Verona if so it's a C+ area pretty good school district in Riverview.

This is the magic of Real Estate.

My head is spinning, but I guess I'm just an old school, old fart! 

I'm a recent law school graduate in the beginning stages of my real estate investing journey. 

If the area is known for a good school district you won't want 1 bed places.

It's a single mom with one cute toddler that works her butt off to raise her kid, hold a full-time job, and go to school at night.

I went to school in Brooklyn.  

Hi Sean from Long Island, New York-You are 18 and wonder if you should buy a duplex on Long Island which is an expensive area and likely would negative cashflow for you if you lived in one side--at least at first.You currently are still living at home and wonder if you should leverage your low cost of living to invest in a more affordable market.Obviously, the choice is a personal one, but if you could continue to keep your cost of living low living at home you could buy a cash flowing property in several markets in Michigan or similar areas and the equity would build up quickly.Then, you could use the equity to buy the next rental until you were ready to buy a house on Long Island or your priorities may change and you may decide to live somewhere else or work or school takes you other places.To Your Success!

In this later scenario, you need all cash, just the same as if you were doing this old school style at the courthouse steps. 

Of course there is nothing magical about a "syndication", it can be as good or bad as an investment in any other real estate activity.