Very generally speaking the areas of Hartford and New Haven where you can hope to attract qualified tenants (assuming that is your goal) are very expensive because most of the people with something to lose that live in these cities generally live in 2 or 3 areas.

They knew a dog lived there when they rented it and they rented anyway, knowing they had allergies and chronic asthma they rented a home with carpet. 

I think everyone's situation is different, and when one crafts their buy box, they need to consider their current family and finances.For me, when I started, I wanted to buy 2-4 unit distressed properties in neighborhoods I wanted to live. 

Most people assume that house hacking means living in a 2 bedroom 1 bath duplex.

I am familiar with the Akron market since I live directly next to it.

Trying to get a split level (not a lot of sqft) on the market in the next three weeks and trying to decide on whether to open the wall between the dining and living room for a feel of openness or leave it as I have heard from two interior designers that the open concept is on the way out as we are more at home and liking our separate areas in the home.Pragmatically speaking the opening of the wall will be mostly a time drain with it being a load bearing wall and having to support the ceiling while rebuilding and all the drywalling necessary.

Buy where you intend to live, where you know the areas best.

Unfortunately, over the 11 months he has lived there, he has only managed to pay the rent on time once.

That doesn't surprise me about NJ, knowing what I do as a person who's lived in the tri-state area for 25+ years, especially since becoming a father and coming to truly appreciate what NJ has to offer offer.

The past tenant was a hoarder and the apartment has not been lived in or touched since 1999 (26 years)!