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I would second Over the Rhine in Cincinnati. Obviously it lacks the scale of NYC, but the collection of 3-5 story italianate, late 19th century buildings is impressive. Still dirt cheap in the northernmost reaches of the neighborhood.
Over The Rhine in Cincinnati consist of about 100 city blocks of mostly 3-5 story Italianate buildings built from the 1850's to the 1880's. It is thought to be one of the largest, most intact urban historic districts in the United States.