House hacking while living in an apartment unit

[Levi Justin Timming]

I'm currently a leasing agent and receive a huge discount to my rent in a luxury apartment in a very nice area. (I only pay $800/month). I'm looking to move my savings from stocks to real estate and I've decided that "house hacking" may be the best option.

1. Is it legal to get a mortgage using FHA loans for a house I have no intention of actually living in?

2. I'm pretty lucky and have lived in nice areas my whole life, is it possible to house hack in a "nice" area? (By that I mean an average suburb with low crime rates.) I realize this comes off a bit naive, but I figure it's better to stick with what I know. 

Thank you for your help!