The Five Points area of Raleigh sounds like that. I had the opportunity to live a few blocks from it in 1987, before it became fully gentrified. $150 a month for my room with utilities included.
![OK](https://pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/oglvvd.gif)
Sure can't do that there anymore!
I'd walk to the grocery store at the main corner (It was an old Winn Dixie then) for my groceries. Was close enough to NCSU to bicycle to it. The homes around there are more 1940s-era, but nice with all brick sides and with porches.