Live in the city: SW Ham radio or VHF/UHF (Used radio)

[Beamin]

I live on the 2nd floor of a old Victorian brick building. The elevation is in one of the higher parts of the city and to my south is the Chesapeake ; open water. I have a general class lic that I got a while back and looking to get back into the hobby (Thank you bit coins for going from almost nothing to 15 grand the last few months! gave my a few hundred dollars spending money that should go to bills but Im going to treat myself).

I really like Short wave SSB but I dont know how well that would work in a city trying to get weak signals. I have access to a fire escape so I could run a wire antenna from the second floor to the fourth story roof. Unfortunately it will be in close proximity to a metal fire ladder and brick. I found this type of brick really blocks signals; using a beofung 2m with a rubber ducky is pretty much useless inside. Even FM broadcast is tricky. Thats my 1st consideration to get a used mobile or base unit.

The 2nd option is to get a VHF UHF 2M 1.25M or 70 CM mobile or base station. Ill build the power supply or use one a generous member on this site (whos name escapes me, sorry) sent me a server power supply to power it. The antenna would probably be an omni directional with coax running to the 4th floor balcony. I was thinking dipole but have no idea whuch way to aim it since im pretty much in the center of the city with mayby a 45' path of open ocean that wpuld be useless to point at.

Does anyone else here have a radio and live in the city? I have cash for a used one or maybe trade a WSPR 40 meter kit with case and all units where I only built one of the moduls, since I figured it was worthless in the city, I bought it when I lived in the county and had nice trees to string up an antenna.

Im starting from scratch I need everything except maybe a power supply; SWR meter antenna radio misc connections 50 ohm cable. So if you have an old or extra rig getting dust give me a reply or some advice as to the HF vs VHF/UHF way to go.

Im going to repost this as a question in the RF section to find more answers.

Thanks
Beamin

I also have to trade are a 300$ brand new FPV wireshark googles and a top of the line  $300 8 channels transmitter used once in box to trade sell as well