In New York City you can find accommodation for every budget, from exclusive and expensive to more modest and affordable. When you're in New York for just a few days and want to see a lot of highlights, I advice to stay in a hotel in Manhattan, since most highlights are located in this borough. When you're travelling on a budget its smart to search for a place on Airbnb because it is way cheaper than a hotel. In the surrounding boroughs it is possible to book hotels and apartments for a lower price in comparison to Manhattan. When you're staying in New York for a longer period you can afford to lose some time with travelling. The travelling, by public transport or yellow cab, is a nice experience itself.