You can get a place for 1700. You could start with a nice studio and move on from there. Check these out:
[link] [link] [link] No fee means no fee. Sometimes the owner pays the broker's commission.
Decide what you want in a neighborhood. Then get a place there. If you're going to hang in the Lower Eastside and live a great Upperwest side place you may be unhappy. It may be worth it, to visit NY and check out many neighborhoods.
i.e. Right near work - Midtown, (but little social act.)
Young, Hip - Lower Eastside, NoHo, Dumbo, SoHo, East Village
Gay - West Village, Chelsea
Young professional - Upper Eastside
Young professional - Upper Westside, (a bit more diverse & $$$ then East)
Near Central Park - Upper Westside/EastSide
etc.
Upper West/Eastside are good for singles...
near Columbia Univ - Morningside Heights
There are Indian, (and any other ethnic type), neighborhoods in Queens/Brklyn, you may want to investigate.
If you are into partying in NYC and you move to Queens, Brooklyn, you'll be sorry. Trust me. Spend the extra cash and move into Manhattan, if you're going to go out a lot there anyway. You only live once.
[ July 19, 2004: Message edited by: Jim Yingst ]