Is there anywhere I can get cheap (like $50) accommodation in New York? ?

My friend, the only place that I can think of the have room for $50 per night will be at a youth hostel. May I recommend the following.

Hosteling Int'l NY

891 Amsterdam Av at West 103rd Street

1-212-932-2300

http://www.hinewyork.org/

around $35 a night and up

Jazz On the Park

36 West 106th Street (between Manhattan Avenue and Central Park West)

1-212-932-1600

http://www.jazzonthepark.com/

starts around $30 a night

Central Park Hostel

19 West 103rd Street (corner of Central Park West and West 103rd Street)

1-212-678-0491

http://www.centralparkhostel.com/

$30 at night and up

The Big Apple Hostel

119 West 45th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

1-212-302-2603

http://www.bigapplehostel.com/

$35 at night and up

You can also try the YMCA, there are two locations in Manhattan.

Vanderbilt YMCA

224 East 47th St.

New York, NY 10017

(212) 912-2500

West Side YMCA

5 West 63rd St.

New York, NY 10023

(212) 875-4100

I hope this information is very helpful.

Good luck

Hostels in New York ($29 and up)

http://411newyork.org/guide/2008/04/20/hostels-in-...

Bed and Breakfast in New York ($85 and up)

http://411newyork.org/guide/2007/11/11/bed-and-bre...

Shelters in New York (age and other restrictions applies)

http://411newyork.org/guide/2007/05/10/shelters-in...

There is a Youth Hostel on 103rd and Amsterdam. It will be less than $50 pp.

Chelsea Star, Manhattan Inn both on 30 st and 8th ave, cheap and not fancy, shared baths