You should try getting the Voice as early as possible on TUESDAY.  It
officially comes out WED but in the Village you can get it at some places
as early as 730 pm Tues.  Also have an application prepared, some may base
it on first come.. as they received applications, you will
probably get one to fill out from a management person, then based on the
info they want make one up like a resume for future places you see, some
you may even be able to see on Tues Eve, before the huge crush of everyone
else.  Have tax proof of your last year's income too some won't even talk
to you if you made under a certain amt.  I went thru this process a year
ago and got a GREAT apt but only after some effort and time.  Hopefully
you have more than a month to look.  You should also be prepared to be
ruthless because there are others out there looking to and they are not
going to be worried about you.  We ended up getting the best place we
looked at.  DO NOT pay 200 cash fees to see a place, it's bad enough some
will ask for 25 to 40 fees, this is a scam the PERSON showing the apt
does.  If the management co. backs them on this be very suspicious,
basically a relative of theirs will get the apt and you will be out your
money. (thankfully we only lost 40).  If a person is showing their apt,
find out who the management company is for the building and go directly to
them, present apt dwellers shouldn't have a say over whether you get the
apt or not.  It may be their home for the moment but it's not their
property to decide who gets it after them.  The Voice is the best source,
don't bother paying for apt finder services, they are never up to date and
only have the same info the Voice has.  Good Luck there are places out
there, but you have to WORK BABY! :)  Also walk around the neighborhood
you are interested in you may even see signs on the door (Apt for Rent,
see super) or people actually puttin up signs for moving sales, there is
no need to get morbid and check obits, you'll find one with out having to
do that!