The blue chips are the most expensive ones at a casino Sarah.

I guess it depends what you mean by dodgy. I've lived in some areas that are considered dodgy and I've loved them and I find some expensive suburbs depressingly boring.

I'd probably prefer a doer upper in an area I liked over living in an area I didn't like.

ETA - funnily enough basic groceries are often cheaper in more expensive areas because the shoppers there tend to be more savvy and also more confident in demanding what they want.