How are yall doing this? This feels impossible.

I’m about to crash out. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong or maybe I’m just demanding.

I have been searching for a sub $1300 studio since May. I don’t have much, I just want to know the properly is decently cared for, accessible to public transit (as in, either close enough to CTA/Metra or not too far from a bus that could take me there), and has laundry in building. What I see is either too far, owned by an ill-reputable company, or snatched within an hour.

On these apartment hunting apps 24/7 then I hit the pavement on weekends searching the For Rent signs. When I shoot a message it’s either out of my budget or they don’t get back to me. Scheduling tours has been a nightmare itself.

My job is demanding and not very flexible, so I can unfortunately meet only after a certain time on weekdays. They are scheduling tours during working hours and it’s super frustrating trying to coordinate and plan it all. I don’t have a car, so my only option is to Uber… but the fear of my time and money (over $40 there and back) being wasted is nerve-racking. I saw this amazing place in RP, but I was stupidly slow in getting my application in before the tour. Now that’s probably gone too.

I cannot sleep because I don’t have time left. I’ve been investing so much energy into apartment hunting and securing a place that it’s hard to do anything else besides that. I only have this month left. This is my first time doing it and it’s very overwhelming and discouraging. I explored the roommate option, but after the current experience I’m enduring right now… I want to avoid ever living through this ever again. It has destroyed my mental health just having to put up with their dirtiness and lack of consideration. I’m surprised we don’t have roaches— or maybe we do and they’re good at hiding.

Am I doing something wrong?? Do I need to be more realistic with my neighborhoods and pricing?? Which areas are more likely to have physical For Rent signs??