Looking for an apartment in New York City? Good luck. With graduation and its inevitable parties in the rear-view mirror, this time of year is when thousands of 20-somethings flock to the Big Apple to work and play and set up a new home. The prices may be steep, but there’s no shortage of recent grads that want the thrill of post-grad life in Manhattan. Worst yet, for the amount of money that could get you a multi-room residence in some States, you’ll barely get an apartment the size of a shoebox in the Big Apple. Many consider the expense of renting an overpriced, tiny apartment a small price to pay to call the greatest city in the world home. But that motivation alone won’t help you find an apartment. With its 2.8% vacancy rate, NYC is one of the most difficult rental markets to navigate. Finding the right apartment rental in New York will take time, but there are some online tools that any apartment-seeker should use to make the process just a little less daunting.

Google Maps

Even if you're not in the Big Apple yet, Google Maps is great for seeing exactly where your new apartment is located. In addition to simply seeing its location, you’ll be able to see the closest bus stops and subway stations, allowing you know just how accessible the prospective apartment is to public transportation. The "Street View" feature is a great way to locate the nearest laundromat, pizza joint, watering hole, and liquor store.

BrickUnderground

After dabbling in the New York rental market for even just a few days, you may come to the conclusion that you need some help. If you’re desperate to find a place, BrickUnderground's new Renter Referral Program might be just what you need. Renters just need to fill out a referral form and describe what they’re looking for, and they’ll be matched with a helpful broker. Not only will the program make finding an apartment in NYC a little easier, but BrickUnderground’s "Rent Coach" Bruce Feldman will even help answer any questions from renters who participate in the program.

SpotCrime

In the City That Never Sleeps, crime can be a constant problem. When you’re considering a new apartment, you’ll want to know how many crimes are being committed in the surrounding area, and specifically what crimes you’ll need to worry about. If you think you’ve found the perfect location to call home, this SpotCrime will help give you even more peace of mind.

Rentometer

Paying a high rent is almost inevitable in New York. But if you want to know if a landlord is boosting prices up a little too high, Rentometer will help you find out. Simply type in an apartment’s address and Rentometer will compare rents in that area. Checking this site will allow you to see whether you’re getting a great deal or whether getting ripped off.

Craigslist

Craigslist is the popular local classified site that’s helpful for finding jobs, advice, and even romance. But it’s also helpful for finding apartment rentals or a room for rent. With hundreds of rentals popping up on the NYC Craigslist each day, you’ll want to act fast when something catches your eye. Subscribing to the RSS feed may be the best strategy to ensure you’ll find that idyllic New York apartment before it’s too late. But good luck sifting through the amount of rent scammers and other b.s. on there.

The Rentables

TheRentables.com is a site that promises to simplify the rental search experience. In addition to providing listings, the site also integrates Google Maps and Street View (where available) into results to allow users to easily explore specific neighborhoods. With a wide range of search filters, you may be able to find the perfect place in seconds.