Hunting for an apartment

It's not as easy as it sounds. Especially in a big city where everything is overpriced. Especially when you need to be close to the metro if you want to have a chance to get to school or work. We can't afford a car, and don't really want one at all, actually. So living outside the city is out of the question. 

You need to constantly refresh the new announcements on the agency's website, and call to pounce on any apartment that looks good. 

You need to not be too picky but yet be discerning. An apartment can have huge bedrooms and look very nice, but if there is no room to even turn around in the bathroom and you have to climb in the shower sideways while trying not to twist your neck, it MIGHT not be such a good idea to take that one. 

You also need to be able to survive missing out on great opportunities. You need to be fast, but it seems there's always someone faster.

You also need to have money, to convince the agency that you're serious.