There are a bunch of cheapo houses to fix up around Children's Hospital. Yeah it is pretty ghetto, but the hospital and other programs have been buying them for near-nothing, gutting them to the toothpicks, and rebuilding them. They then sell them...seems like they sell them to decent people, and the trash seems to be getting nudged out of there.
You could potentially buy one of the ones not yet purchased by them and fix it up...then you'll be in an overall nice place for less money. Still gotta lock your shit up tight, but common sense goes a long way!
welcome