flat hunting

I can't quite make up my mind who is in the stronger position: the flat hunter or the flat stayers.

I mean. The flat stayers want to make sure that the person moving in is nice, tidy, friendly and perhaps even up for socialising a bit. They want to make sure not to get any psychopaths in the door, and that the person they're offering to enter their flat is not going to nick stuff (foods or cash or jewellery or shampoo or..). And of course, that they'll pay rent on time.

Most of this stuff is pertinent both ways, but for the flat hunter there are more things to consider: for example whether the group of people in the flat are willing to open their potentially closed circle of flat mates to the newcomer, how the dynamics of the house is, and whether there are any skeletons in the closet, such as vermin, a s*** landlord or the like.

I've seen 8 flats now, each with pros and cons. One was an amazingly roomy flat, the room with a fantastic view from the 15th floor and with newly redone interior, but in a slightly nasty council estate. Another was a cheap room, but small and with young students (we're talking 20, 20 and 24!).. And yet another was a large, cheap room, with a garden, two showers and separate toilet, but in a, uhm.., slightly dilapidated condition.

So, what's the most important?
The size of the room (I want to be able to have firends over)
Whether there's a living room or not?
Are the people living there friend potential?
The total cost...?

I've been offered 3 or so of the ones I've seen (pretty good, I'd say, even the students wanted me!), and I'm not sure whether to take the more expensive one, which is in really good condition and where the people have friend potential, or the cheaper (by 100£/month), larger room, where I can't really have my bike and the people aren't as obviously great.. I think I'll chose one tomorrow.