The city has charms and quirks that people from outside of Wisconsin would never expect.

I would say keep as many original details and charm as you can!

I actually find DT Allentown to be a charming place with huge potential.

So, it's not going to be 'all-encompassing'.I did get a HELOC approved on one of the properties but have not used it (since the Northern California market is too hot to buy any more real estate). 

Researching pockets with lower DOM may be your best bet since 30349 encompasses various swings in median income/avg home prices.

Worked like a charm and did not drain my wallet ;<)).

Central Ohio has always encompassed a greater area than Columbus proper: Delaware, Newark, Lancaster...

The worst scam artists are highly charming people. 

The fallout was inescapable: Nearly one in three homes went into foreclosure.Today, the community of North Las Vegas, encompassing the 89031 ZIP code, is the model of the recovery that has swept the nation.

It's very much an up and coming area; a lot of young movers and shakers are coming in and setting up shop in its rustic charm, investing in the local businesses and culture, and it seems like the local government is riding that wave, investing in public areas and roads.