I think I’m going to have a good opportunity to stay a week in NY (by which I mean I’ll have a good time when I may have a job offer on the way, have some savings, and will be halfway there).
Assumignt his goes off, where should I stay? I’m looking for a clean, relatively inexpensive hotel. Doesn’t have to be in Manhattan - in fact, I hear there are nice hotels with fantastic views for a lot less just on the other side of the river, still served well by mass transit). Wouldn’t have a car, so that last bit helps.
“inexpensive” is rather relative in NYC.
The chain hotels in Brooklyn Heights, including the Brooklyn Bridge Marriot, can go as low as $250/night. The NU Hotel, on Atlantic Avenue is about the same.
If you’re staying a week you’ll be better off with a vacation rental in a nice residential neighborhood. Look under “vacation rentals” on craigslist, or use vrbo.com. Some examples below.
Chelsea studio apartment – $175/nt
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/vac/1777939164.html
West Village Studio apartment - $150/nt
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/vac/1777980225.html
Etc.
Another option, Bed & Breakfast in Carroll Gardens
http://www.unionstbrooklynbandb.com/prices.html
Another possibility you might want to check. I found a studio/MIL apartment in Chicago for $75 a night — not Loop or Miracle Mile, but a nice neighborhood and easy access to transit.