Check out CPANOMORE's (potential class of 2013) post on gmatclub. He provides very good information on apartments in NYC. His post on page 75: http://gmatclub.com/forum/calling-all-nyu-stern-fall-2011-applicants-96629-1480.html
Personally I think international Stern students should live in the Palladium (reasonable cost at $1700, great amenities, close to school, vibrant area in Union Square, 9-month option, and close to the other 170 MBA students who live in the building).