In the same exact situation as you are. I actually just signed a lease for an apartment yesterday. No amount of pictures or virtual tours will give me reassurance that I picked the right place, but I'm afraid I didn't have much of an option! If your school has an active reddit, make a post asking if anyone has experience living in the places you are interested in. I did, and I received prompt responses that were more enlightening than any information a landlord will likely give. If you haven't done so already, make sure to go on google street view around the apartment to get the vibe of the area.