Can identify with rental crises in a big city: Boston has to be the one of the worst RE markets in the world and I rented there for years... good apartments in bad neighborhoods and vice versa, sharing/roommates (never worked), but every once in a while I would hit the jackpot and find a gem, something small, out-of-the-way, but close enough to work and always word-of-mouth, where I stayed longest, living peacefully, til I had enough to buy my first condo. Owning brings it's own set of issues... good luck with your search karne!!