The good (and even not so hot) neighborhoods in Brooklyn are just as expensive as Manhattan.
If you're young and semi-artsy I would recommend the NY Loft hostel in East Wiliamsburg/Bushwick. It's a block away from L train which can get you to Manhattan in less than 10 mns and Williamburg's Bedford Ave in 5 mns.
The hostel is an semi-industrial neighborhood but there's lots of stuff going on close by. Eat at Roberta's restaurant, drink cheaply and eat rice balls at Wreck Room with bike messengers/hipsters, drink more at Cain's Tavern with some locals. Actually the whole corridor near the hostel has a half dozen bars/rests. Plenty of hipsters around if you're outgoing to get dragged to a house party or to see a local band playing. Should be plenty of peeps in the hostel looking to party too. It's not for everyone but its a good option for someone not new to NYC and doesn't need to be in Times Square.
If you're young and semi-artsy I would recommend the NY Loft hostel in East Wiliamsburg/Bushwick. It's a block away from L train which can get you to Manhattan in less than 10 mns and Williamburg's Bedford Ave in 5 mns.
The hostel is an semi-industrial neighborhood but there's lots of stuff going on close by. Eat at Roberta's restaurant, drink cheaply and eat rice balls at Wreck Room with bike messengers/hipsters, drink more at Cain's Tavern with some locals. Actually the whole corridor near the hostel has a half dozen bars/rests. Plenty of hipsters around if you're outgoing to get dragged to a house party or to see a local band playing. Should be plenty of peeps in the hostel looking to party too. It's not for everyone but its a good option for someone not new to NYC and doesn't need to be in Times Square.