Best Place to Live NEAR Manhattan?

I'm a New Yorker and lived in Manhattan for most of my life. Recently left to go to Cambridge, MA for a few years, and looks like I'm getting a job that will bring me back to NYC. I'm wondering - given the price of Manhattan - does anyone have any recommendations for an artist who loves the artistic elements of NY, doesn't want to commute forever, but wants a descent NYC 1 BR apartment for under $2,000? Williamsburg? Hoboken? Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO? Elsewhere? Thanks for any suggestions.