I don't think the OP is expecting to find something for $500. The anticipated original expenditure was $1,000 ($200 per night) but $500 of that was used as the infamous deposit on a nonexistent place.

The OP never said he expected to find a place using the remaining money only--just that the new place should be as cheap as possible considering the loss. I believe it is for two people.

I'm puzzled why you think the subway might be unsafe, but you were willing to live in a strangers apartment for five days. Personnaly that would give the me willies that a person I never met and who was not vetted by an agency had a key. Who knows who else might have a key.

First of all there is no place within NYC that is within "walking distance" of almost everything. Major sights are in an area 8 miles long and 2 wide plus islands in the harbor. So, no matter where you stay you will have to take the subway -esp in November - when you may not want to walk 10 or 12 miles a day outdoors.

Second the subway is perfectly safe unless you take it to a far distant downscale suburb at 3 am. Noting to worry about at all.

If you can spend $200 per night you can get a decent hotel in Manhattan if you search (Park South has some special for I believe $189 per night during your time period on travelzoo.com).

Great point palmettoprincess. Criticism taken and well deserved. I haven't had a chance yet to contact Craigslist, but I plan to do so. I have been very busy working about 100 hours a week and getting some sleep when I can.

I still am hopeful, probably stupidly, the person-- Jennifer Bash-- will contact me. I guess I am too trustworthy. I don't know why that is on this account because that is not me at all in just about any other situation.

Yes. We have had our flight for my wife and I for several months now.

I have been searching for a few minutes on here and am wondering about a few places a little easier on a budget. I will post them shortly.

Thanks again for the many replies.

How about :
carlton arms
160 E 25th

Chelsea Lodge
318 E 20th

LaQuinta Inn
17 W 32nd

Pod Hotel
230 E 51st

I know these are budget places, but are any worthy of looking into?

Thanks for any input

I'm not at all puzzled that someone who would make a crack about President Obama would also be leery of the New York City subway. Why associate with "those people"?

Many of the rooms in the Pod hotel are bunk beds with shared baths. It is fairly new and in a decent location - but you need to be sure what type of room you are getting for the money.

Don;t know the others personally- but I would check on tripadvisor.com to see what the reviews are.

not to hijack this post but would like nancy1652 to email me at [email protected] to please add any comments about her apartment experience. am paranoid from all the scam talk. thank you.

Of the places OP lists, all but the La Quinta are worth checking but you do realize they're all shared bathrooms?

cindyjo, what about "don't rent an apartment in NYC" and most apt. rentals in NYC are illegal don't you understand?

And YES, I would put this person's name on this thread and would also do a google search to see what else you might find.

cindyjo: my email to you is on its way.

We've decided to go with Murray Hill Inn. The rooms are very small, but there is an attached bath that is almost as big as the room (or at least it was the room we stayed in the last time we were there) and it's only $700.35 for the five nights, including taxes.

We don't require anything fancy. The amenities of a condo or something else would be nice, but this will do, especially in a pinch like this.

This is a no-frills Hotel, but I hope we're just as happy as the one night we stayed there in March of 2008 as we took a bus down from Boston.

Thanks for all of your input.