Apartment hunting

So, we have learned how apartment hunting can range from one city to the next. When we looked for an apartment in our current city, we looked at two...that is it...and we picked the first one. Perfect apartment -- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one large), nice living room with a separate dining room, large kitchen, etc... We couldn't have been blessed more with our first apartment. I remember looking for my wedding dress 4 years ago. I had heard about how long it takes to find the perfect wedding dress. Took my sister a while and finally found her dress in Dallas. I went to David's in Tyler, tried on 3 dresses, and picked the first one. Easy. Everything will always be that easy...wrong! So, we go to our new city, start the search. You mean there are no real estate agents that speak English?! Actually, we were prepared for that -- we grabbed our friend with fluent language and took her with us. This agent helped her when she lived in this city. Well, he had one to show us. Small 2 bedroom, tiny bathroom, tiny kitchen, noisy outside, dirty neighborhood... We ask him if he has anything nicer or newer. He looks at us like we just grew a third eye and says "That is nice!". So, no help there. Moving on, we decide just to take a taxi to this really nice community on the edge of the city (because on the edge is the only place you can get away from the 24/7 noise of traffic and people). This place is huge, with who knows how many different apartment complexes. Luckily, someone tells us that there is a central rental office. So, after we reach the office after asking numerous people, plus guards, where this place is and being told differently every time, we go in and ask. "Come back in 1 1/2 hours and a lady will be here to help you". Ok, so 1 1/2 hours later, we come back. Lady is there, but as we walk in, without saying a word or even looking at us, she shakes her head no, and the man we talked to earlier says "No aparments here". Yeah right, but what can we do? So, we leave and return home. Nate comes back a few days later to look at an apartment that a friend had told us about. Nice apartment -- jacuzzi (wow!), AC/heat, furniture -- sounds great! Oh, but there is a huge hill you have to climb...and it's on the 7th floor. Ok, so that would be doable in the States with a car an elevator...but that is not how it is here. First, we don't have a car so walking the hill is a must, and unless the building is above 8 floors, no elevator is needed (or so they say!). Climbing 7 flights of stairs everyday numerous times a day would be a great way to stay in shape, but not a great way to stay sane. Anyways, long post, but in case you ever wanted to get an apartment here, you have been forewarned :) Still looking, but we have a good feeling about this next week! Will let you know!