While I have used many of the online/print resources in the past… by far the best tool I have found for scouting rentals is my mountain bike. Ride around, be friendly, stop to talk to people and get the inside scoop. Talk to the people out walking their dogs… they walk those streets every day and know exactly what is for sale/rent. Talk to the little old lady, she is the one who has a couple of rental properties in the area, or knows someone who does. In my experience, the house you are looking for has an 8″x12″ generic red for-rent sign stapled to the garage door with nothing but a phone number on it. Those for me have always been the best places, the best landlords, and the best prices.

As as a bonus… a mountain bike in the areas you are looking will get you in pretty good shape.