If only this was Spain...

Right now I'm facing the rather daunting task of trying to find accommodation in a town with a population of about 7000... and an additional student population of over 2500.  And this through the medium of a language that I am not 100% comfortable in. It's slightly embarrassing phoning up to enquire about a flat and not immediately understanding that the person on the other end is telling you it's already gone.  And it's also quite demoralising.

I need to get a flat pretty sharpish or I can't open a bank account.  If I don't get a bank account I can't get paid.  Which in short means that if I don't get a flat I don't have a job.  Oh what a lovely situation to be in....