I hated living in apartments for that very reason Tonya. I lived in one apartment where I was told the pet deposit could be made in three payments. There was mass confusion on her part and mine and I thought it was $250.00 and I could make 3 payments of $84. Turns out that was 3, $250.00 payments!! The pet deposit was $750.00!! Most apts here have a pet deposit of around $300.00.
That was a bad six months, I had to leave Stolly with my dad. Not a bad place mind you, sorta like the Hyatt Regency for dogs, but I missed him so!
Have you thought about renting a house with roommates?