But I plan to go there to see and know the city in general and different neighborhoods in particular.

House hacking still definitely works, just got to get a little more creative, maybe be willing to do some work (go find the worst house in the best neighborhood kind of thing).

Many people search here before they send off money.There are many threads about this.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WAS INTERESTED IN THIS PROPERTY WAS I LITERALLY GREW UP AROUND THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD SO IT WAS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR ME BESIDE IT BEING A GREAT DEAL I WAS VERY FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE AREA !.

My goal for 2018 is to pay off both mortgages and search for more properties to buy at the end of the year or early 2019. 

Interest rate is 6.25% Nice house, nice neighborhood.

I am in NYC but thinking of expanding my search to NJ. 

Rancho is working class, solid neighborhoods, decent schools, and lot of first time home buyers looking for a decently sized house.

For example, in the New York area, especially in some hyped-up fringe neighborhoods (like certain areas of the Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island), finding a "bargain" seems easy.

We were able to buy low in a good neighborhood since the home was in need of some work, mainly needing cosmetic work and some deferred maintenance.