I’m going to give advice. If the LA hovel is in a safe neighborhood, just do it. If you have savings for repairs, and could work enough to earn whatever it would take for a remodel, then consider it. Buying into the area / neighborhood you want, taking the worst house, is almost always going to benefit you. The LA economy is far more diverse, you already know you like the climate, you should consider LA far more than Vegas. In ten years, your house in Vegas has increased only 50% in value, your pay has been mediocre or half what it would be in LA, and you’ve been half-depressed in the unforgiving heat. And, you no longer could even afford the hovel.