I guess I’m just looking for general advice
I find it hard to say much, because I don't know what you don't know. This stands out though:
are some places better to live than others now?
The literal answer depends mostly on your needs, but what's important to keep in mind is that with very rare exceptions, you don't get to choose where you live. The housing supply is extremely tight, even for relatively high incomes, so you get very little agency in the whole thing. You get one, maybe two offers, and you have to decide a day or two later otherwise there's an army of other people ready to say yes to the landlord.
A better approach is to make the best out of the neighbourhood you end up in.