((((( Rose )))))

I would say that if you are not in dire straits in the apartment you are now in and feel comfy in, it would behoove you to look into things at your own pace. There is nothing better than asking questions and getting the answers you need to make an informed decision.

I would check out the places you are considering to see what it's like living there. Talk to some of the residents if you can to get a feel for the place.

Does the city you live in offer it's own private Section 8 housing? If so, it's a consideration while waiting for the Federal Section 8 to come along. There are also many other apartment complexes that have their own Section 8 or lower income standards as well that you might look into.

I like Perna's suggestion of writing a pros/cons list. For each place you visit and questions you ask, you can then create your list. The unfortunate thing about Section 8 is that people move up and down the list by their needs. Sometimes it doesn't seem fair I know.