Some of these designated opportunity zones
have felt like tar pits.

Yes, the tax benefits are great, but, like, all the money in the world has not helped the Bronx.

What are your rules of thumb in seeing if an area is just going to keep deteriorating? I know many people who do section 8 housing, just operating off of what they get from the govern-cement, and hope they get something from the tenant. Knowing that if/when they have to get it ready to rent again, it will take a shovel to get to the carpet, and drywall will need replacing.