My partner and I are splitting before I start transitioning. This means I will be renting on my own.

This means I will be meeting a new landlord as female, but will later on be male. (I wish I could vacation at an all-inclusive resort on the moon for two years until my transition is sorted and I look great.  )

Most of what is available that is affordable to me is rented in a common house with private rooms/private bathrooms, which means shared space with total strangers.

I've had some very *colorful* experiences in the past with renting. But now throwing transition into the mix makes me feel a lot more vulnerable. I don't want to get locked into a lease sharing a space with someone who is crazy transphobic. There is a lot of backwards thinking in my area.

If I were already passing it wouldn't be an issue, but, unfortunately that's not the case.

What things do you consider when looking for a living space? How do you find one that's safe?

I would look for a local LGBT center and see if there are others looking for a roommate. Once I had a roommate, both of us could search for an apartment that meets our needs.

Back when I was in the same boat, I rented a studio apartment, cheap. I started my transition, and the landlord seemed to have no problem with it. When I found a room mate at the trans support group, we got a better studio apartment.
I don't know if that route would work for you, but it's worth a shot.

Ooh, I didn't even think about networking with an LGBT center/support groups/etc. I have my first appointment at one in a little over a week!

Thanks.