My hamster has escaped. I fear the worst.

Question
My hamster has escaped and my girIfriend and I fear the worst. She managed
to undo the latch on her cage and has vanished. Through process of
elimination we see she has gone under the floor boards in the kitchen.
However we live in an apartment block. Not a house. We've got 3 rooms and
shes not in any of them. We've left out food and all the recommended traps
but no food has been touched.  She may have gone down into someone elses
flat or could still be under our floorboards.I'm wondering if Hamsters return
to the place they left often? Perhaps she'll come back this way eventually after
exploring. I just dont know what to do. Should I just give up hope? I feel its
unlikley she'll come back. I didnt think I'd become so attached but I have. Can
you give me any advice on what to do. Leaflet the other apartments to see if
she's been spotted. I just dont know. Its horrible not knowing! Thanks for
your time. Jonny.

Answer
Dear Jonny,
thank you for your question.
You can try to leave the cage on the floor with the door open to lure her. This might work, she might come back and carry her nest ect. into her new hiding place, though.
Definitely ask around if anyone has seen her, maybe ask at the nearest animal shelter. I would leave the traps out a bit longer, it's always possible that she has found another food supply (check the kitchen cupboards!) and is hiding somewhere in your apartment.
If she has found a way out of the apartment, the chances that she will come back are not very good, simply because she might not find the way back or because it's not possible for her to get back. But don't give up hope just now!
I hope that your hamster will turn up again!
Jennifer