Staying in New York

If your travelling on the VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME known as
ESTA see the posting above yours " New Visa requirements"
you only allowed to stay for 90 days max this includes travel
to Canada the Caribbean and Mexico
more info see....CBP.GOV /

I found the International Hostel at Amsterdam and 103rd a bit of a challenge as people come and go at all hours and turn lights on any time. I've stayed there twice some years apart and found it the noisiest place I've ever stayed, and I often stay in hostels. If you can sleep through noise and light, it's in a great part of New York and does have cooking facilities.

I found the YMCA hostel in Harlem quite good. It costs about $70 a night and you get your own small room, with a fridge and access to a microwave. They also have a gym and a pool that you can use. It's very close to the 2 and 3 subway lines. They also have hostels in other parts of NY but I didn't check them out.

The Whole Food supermarkets are a great source of produce and ready prepared food and they are in lots of places (Union Square, Columbus Circle, Columbus Ave near 100th street)- just look them up on the net. Zabars on Broadway and 80th is also a great place for food and cooking implements.

If your travelling on the VISA WAIVER PROGRAMME known as ESTA

The ESTA is a condition of the VWP, not an alternative name or a means of entry itself.

What type of studying do you plan? This may affect how you enter the country.

What do you plan to do in the city which you are there ? You do not necessarily have to live in Manhattan; you could find affordable space in Queens (Long Island City) or Brooklyn and take the subway into the city.

Millions of people live in NYC many are single ;) some are young. I would think, that Graduate students living in I-House uptown would be your closest cohorts in terms of lifestyle, age and budget.

NYC is the most expensive city in the US to live in. If you plan to be there for that long, I would suggest a sublet if possible, via Craigslist or AirB&B, Though I would first try to get a Uni Dorm of some sort of student housing, NYU has many options in the summer, but once school is in session its tough.

With Cragslist, never pay upfront, possibly a small deposit, wait until you see the place, and also have a sublease contract from the leasee/owner, eve if its not legal, at least you have an agreement, and have recourse/legal action.

I sub lease my apt in Chicago every year, usually to a executive thats transferred and needs to find housing in 2-4 months, I use craiglist, I have had retired couples rent it visiting grandchildren, grad students doing internships etc.

Also, you may find a nice room for rent in a an apt, where room mates have to rent out there room due to a transfer, and its free for a few months, thats ideal for many, as then you have a new friend to show you around and make friends too..

As far as where to live, NY is big, and has a lot of fun, hip and cool places to stay as mentioned above, Brooklyn, Queens and lower manhattan are best option IMO. The lower east side is the most fun for a base for a college type person, and Williamsburg areas just across the bridge. But West Village and Chelsea areas are fun too.

AirB&B.com is also a good option for rooms to rent, and will give you an idea of what you get for the money/location.

Vegas for a week? Ughhh, a weekend is enough, and that place is not cheap unless you have free access to all the lounges/clubs and drinks.

eve if its not legal, at least you have an agreement, and have recourse/legal action.

Courts don't enforce illegal contracts.

If you're staying in a hostel it's easy to meet people although most people will probably only be staying for a few days up to one or two weeks.

I recently stayed at Columbus Circle Hostel and it was fine,there was a common room to meet people. Even though it's a hostel it's still expensive for what you get. But the cost might also depend on the season.

Columbus Circle Hostel is all about location. You are paying a premium to be next to Central Park & surroundings.

Kelly, I think your reference to meeting other travellers is diverting the discussion onto a track that isn't really what you want. Travellers are transient, you'll be there for several months and presumably looking to find friends who'll be around for a while.

For a young woman in NYC, that's not difficult. Google around for sports leagues (kickball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee), get involved in volunteer work, attend religous services if you are, go occupy Wall Street, take a class...