NYC Rent

Maybe check streeteasy

Gonna be a struggle ngl. For an affordable 1 Bedroom/studio (<2100), Hells Kitchen, Yorkville, and some parts of UES/UWS are probably your best bet. 

Get a roommate who’s also in finance, live in a 2bd in Murray Hill. It won’t be awesome, but you’ll be glad you did… there’s a reason it’s the well-trodden path for first years. 
 

If you’re firm on living alone, then I’d say look at Kips Bay, FiDi, or the UES (if you’re working in Midtown).
 

You can find great deals in the upper parts of Hell’s Kitchen - 50s along 8th or 9th (below 46th is sketchy, west of 9th is isolated), but people will make a face when you say you live in HK - up to you if that matters

Any idea on price range? Signed and moved in recently as a new first year and most of my coworkers and I are paying around 1600 to 2000 each for rooms in 2-4 bedroom units. If you want a 1 bedroom or even studio it'll be more expensive than that in most places neighborhoods with decent commutes to (presumably) a Midtown office. At least on an ib first year salary most ppl I know are in Midtown West/Hell's Kitchen or Murray Hill

This might hurt some feelings but have some self respect and avoid Hell’s Kitchen. There, I said it.

As a post-grad, Murray Hill / Kips Bay is your best bet for cheap rent and being near all the other post-grads in town. Otherwise consider East Village if you’re into cockroaches/mice, Financial District if you want to be late to work in midtown everyday, and the trendier Brooklyn neighborhoods if you never want friends to come visit you. Uptown spots will be cheaper but also sleepy most of the week.

Also for context I nabbed a studio in Murray Hill / Kips Bay at a doorman building for $1900 so it’s totally possible, you just need to demand months free before you sign. Landlord will cave now that Delta Variant stuff is all over the news.

Best of luck in the search!