If I'm spending $1,500 on a plane ticket, I'm staying 3 months. Not 2 weeks.
I've already decided this.

I understand what you are saying, but I would recommend, instead of spending 8 weeks living in a s-hole in Kyoto eating cup ramen and staring at the same four walls each night, why not use the same amount of money and spend three weeks traveling the country, spend three nights in Kyoto, a night in Nara, a couple nights in Osaka, a night in Kobe, go down to Himeji, Hiroshima, the Japan Sea, etc. and see Japan from a different room with a hot meal every night.

After a week in a tiny apartment in Kyoto you are going to be saying "This sucks".

No matter how long I stay, there's still the issue of finding things.

Which is what I need some tips on.

Like what?

Sightseeing places, Temples, attractions, McDonalds, anything.

I guess I don't understand the question. Everything in Kyoto is marked clearly, even telling you how far away major attractions are on signs. And McDonalds is pretty easy to identify.

So if I want to find Nijo Castle, I just walk outside of my apartment and look for a sign that says Nijo Castle on it?
Common, MMM.

Nijo Castle is most easily accessed from Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Subway Line. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Karasuma Oike Station and transfer to the Tozai Line. The whole trip from Kyoto Station takes about 15-20 minutes.

Come on, Alan.

You got that from Japan-guide. I guess I'll have to use that site whenever I want to find something.
Basically what I'm most scared about is trains. No clue how to use them.

They can seen intimidating at first, but after a day you will be a master.

In the station will be a map which shows you how to get where you want to go, and how much it costs. Buy a ticket, stick it in the gate and pull it out the other end. Find the right platform to wait at and when the train comes you are on your way. As long as you know where you want to go, anyone will be able to help you.