I agree with MaleDefined. Since your price range intrigued me i decided to check out listings. 1700 for one person should get you some solid logistics from what I've seen here
http://www.rentmanhattan.com/index.cfm?page=search ( click manhattan and put your price, for some reason the listings are not coming through directly) There are apts on 95th st UES, the talent there is respectable..to say the least. Everything you'd expect from manhattan. Saw some apts on 77th st ,80th up to 95th.(UES) You have Hunter College on Park and 68th. But there is alot of down time, I've traveled through there many times throughout my life i'd say the avg girl is 27' y.o and up. They look good. Area is Quiet as Fu*k. People around there intrigue me, they dont normally come into contact with someone who would open them just to shoot the sh*t , like i do to entertain myself. Keep it G, the girls want cock!
In your shiiituation tho, I would most deff look to the apts in West Village. Saw they were 1700 . You a walk away from prince,christopher greene, 14th not to far. Meat packing bro. I believe that you are are 20 dollar cab ride( including tip) away from some of the best clubs. Nothing against the LES, dope girls, drugs , NAzareth(columbia st).
The reason i take WV over LES, is simple. I sympathize to their predicament. Girls walk the streets there with the understanding, they are going to feel wanted by men. Truthfully speaking, they really only want the man that doesn't care about their existence. Their femininity is what i'm getting at. Its like they are in competition there. The ones in the bout go all out. The ones on the sides watch and appear as ghost.
*One warning if this is an issue for you, gay guys will holla. Part of the scene, be cool they cool. Mad connections to the art world.