Moving to NYC

[AnatraAmore]

So I'm considering applying for a new position within the organization I work for. The catch? It's in New York. (East Harlem to be exact.) I have a friend who went to school and now lives in Brooklyn, but doesn't know much about moving to the rest of the city. I'm planning on staying with her for a few weeks if I am offered/accept the position, but I know it's going to be a commute from Brooklyn so I'm trying to do some research so that I can decide whether it's worth it to even apply for the position. I've read at least a dozen articles about finding an apartment and I have an idea of what I can afford, but I'm not sure where to go from there.

Anyone have experience moving to the city or finding a new apartment if you already live there? How long should I give myself to find an apartment? Use a broker? Craigslist? Newspapers? Some combination of all the above? Suggestions for neighborhoods that are close to the subway? Suggestions for areas to avoid?

Also, anyone have suggestions for resources on the web? Reliable websites, articles, etc.?