Stupid question about where to look to rent an apartment (lease, bad credit)

[milkit]

I know this is a perhaps stupid question, but I haven't had to look for housing in ages. The last time I had to look was in the 90's when you bought a newspaper and looked in the classified section. Nowadays, do you find an apartment via craigslist? Or do you look at newspapers online?

I can't afford a lot, have bad credit, and don't want a long-term lease, so I prefer to stick with smaller landlords, not large complexes.

Thanks.

[mayorhaggar]

Craigslist. Large complexes don't exist in the inner Bay Area, and even more suburban areas have plenty of small landlords.

[cd89]

Padmapper.com searches a lot of craigslist postings according to criteria you set so that may be helpful as well. Good luck!

[milkit]

Thanks so much both of you! I had never heard of padmapper before...I'll check it out.