First, what can you reasonably pay toward rent? Do you have any compensating factors to help a property manager get past your bad credit score? For example, a good paying job, long employment history, significant ties to the community, great alimony and child support with a consistent payment history would all help. Look for homes advertised for rent by an individual BUT be skeptical. Insist on proof of ownership (scam artists are breaking in, rekeying, advertising, and then walking away with the deposit money).