When I got kicked out mid-December I went and looked at everything I could find around $500.
I prioritized rentals in a certain neighborhood which I know well, is safe, family-filled, and not too far from a metro.
I saw some shitty places, some okay places, and one that seemed pretty quaint, though a bit over my budget I could hook up my own washer-drier so potentially save money there.
So I took the place. And I kind of didn't like it so much. It's small and not that well insulated and there's no sound insulation between me and my upstairs neighbors.
But then I got furniture and new sheets and suddenly I love it and it's home. My brother had the couch, desk, and bench-I-use-as-a-coffee table, and the sheets were $20. Oh, and I got a microwave for my birthday.

That's the view from my bedroom door. Small, but plenty of space for me alone. Which is what I anticipated when I picked the place. Only a 15 min walk to the metro, or 5-10 mins on the bus depending on traffic.