Best Way to Find Quality Non-Student Rentals Amherst or Northampton (apartment, condos)

[Browsing Duo]

We are living in a temporary rental house in the Amherst and Northampton area and must vacate in June. We are a quiet older professional one-car, no-pet, non-smoking couple and have excellent credit and local references. From studying Craigslist for the last few months, very little in the way of appealing small-house or large apartment rentals come up. It looks as if the student population rules the market.

What is the forum's take on pickings for people like us who want a quiet, well-kept, well-equipped, updated, walkable (within 1 mile of either town) 2-3 bedroom small house or large apartment in the 1400-1600 range? If such rentals exist, what is the best way to find out about them or bring ourselves to the attention of landlords who rent high quality, non-student housing ? We'll go the Wanted Apartment Craigslist route, register with brokers but wonder if there are creative ways to find a great, suitable rental for ourselves.
Do such properties exist, and how do we find one?

Thanks for your input.

[wmass]

You might find less of a student market in Northampton. Probably a lot of condos in the rental market now. I would guess many leases will be expiring in June, so more options may open up over the next few months.

Nevertheless, the UMass off campus housing search page is pretty good (even for non-students, professionals, etc): UMass Off Campus Housing: Search for Housing. Craigslist, Rentnoho.com, newspapers, word of mouth - all the usual stuff.

[Browsing Duo]

Thanks for the UMASS link. It looks helpful. If anyone else has ideas, feel free!