Southerner Looking for The Right Location Up Here... (Riverside, Duane: apartment, neighborhood)

[A930NY]

...actually, I was born in NYC; dad was a boxer and fashion designer (it happens.) and mom was a Studio 54 socialite, but they moved us back to TN while I was young because my father is from there and refused to raise kids in the city. I'm currently living for free on 157th and Riverside Dr., and it's a nice little neighborhood. However, I can't visually change anything in the apartment (it's not mine) and the electricity is not updated, but now I can, hopefully, afford to get my own place. I recently acquired a position in the East Village making around 70k first year (probably around $80-100k for subsequent years), and would like to find a closer place near my work to live for around $1,900-$2,300 per month. I'm also an average 21 year old guy, and living a little closer to Midtown (and the Village) is appealing for the night spots, music, abundance of martial arts dojos I've seen around those areas, and convenience to meet friends or a boyfriend, especially since I have neither right now, ha.

I've been recommended to visit Long Island City due to the short commute, but am a little hesitant living somewhere that forces me to travel for even the most routine endeavors (still no Duane Reade there, I hear). So what are some other ideas? I have no racial hangups (it's weird how frequent the topic of race pops up in the NYC posts...even more so than forums in my area in TN), and just want to find a place that is safe, fits my price range, and is less than 30 minutes away from my job.

I don't plan on moving until late November/December, but just thought I'd get a head start. Thanks!