lowest cost neighborhood, yet still safe? (apartment, foreclosures, rent)

[loveithateit]

I grew up in Queens and currently rent a studio in the Flushing area for 1100/month.

It's just really sad to have to call this place home.

I've finally saved up 70K and would like to purchase a home way out in Long Island. Distance is not an issue, because I plan to keep the studio during the work week. Would really like a place of my own to fix up and call home.

My credit is pretty shot, so let's assume that 70K will have to be close to a 50% downpayment, leaving me a max of only about 140-150K for the home. I don't mind waiting and searching through HandyMan specials and foreclosures but just need a good idea on the town to look out for.

I'd really prefer for it to be a house and not apartment. And safety is a major concern. Safety would trump house.

I would like to consider upstate, NJ or even poconos, but being in Queens all my life, just seems LI is the best direction to go.