Search for a Flat to Let

Searching for a place to live is quite an unnerving endeavor. People storm the newspaper stands as soon as they are delivered, leaving the papers all gone within 5 minutes. An apartment will list when it can be viewed, people line up at the door (15-20 people), and it's first-come-first-serve, so you must be ready to make a decision and pay $1500+ cash immediately, provide evidence of employment, references of employers and previous landlord, and sign a year's lease. The people are crazy intense. There is an serious shortage of accommodation available, one is lucky to find a vacancy that partially meets one's preferences of location, amenities, cleanliness/functionality, price, etc., but then the competition greatly decreases the odds of getting it. It's a very stressful situation, and a scary commitment, trying to get a feel for the surrounding area, bus routes, local amenities, etc., with so little time...