Rental prices - rules of thumb? ideas?

I have some bad news for you: there are so few 3 BR apartments in the Village period that you are probably going to be paying a fairly steep premium unless you switch neighborhoods. OTOH, I'd go visit any of the new projects in the area (where most of the 3 BRs are going to be, and where you can redily still access floorplans and know which buildings are even good possibility)and if they are "complete" see the super and let him know you'll show your appreciation if he hooks you up with a vacant apartment and if they are not complete hit the sales office and when they tell you they aren't renting find some way of making yourself memorable enough to someone there that when they start renting themselves or hear of a purchaser who is going to rent, they will contact you.