I used AirBnB to spend a week at a time in different areas of the city I was targeting. I looked for places near things to do, walkable, parks, waterfront, where people congregate. After 8 weeks of bouncing around I narrowed it down and spoke to the locals I'd met along the way on which spots in the area I'd chosen were solid. I chose a small, two story complex with a pool in the center, near a popular stretch of bars, adjacent to great waterfront and healthy activities. My playbook won't work for everyone, especially folks who might not be outgoing.