@CappucinnoEnthusiast: Anthropology, PhD.
Does anyone here know if there are any groups/communities based around figuring out housing, rent etc., with respect to NY? I'm an international student, so I won't be in the US until a little before term actually starts, so I was wondering if there was a way to figure this out online, and if so, how advisable that was. And otherwise, if anyone is taking housing provided by Columbia, are there any details on relative cost, availability etc. you would be willing to offer?