Electric and Water costs on STT?

For $1500-$2000, you could get the electric included for a 2 BR(not the best place if you want A/C which will cost $$200-$250/mo. just for one bedroom A/C!
Water isn't(normally) a problem on the northside.
Water is not the big expense, electric is.

There is no WAPA water lines available on the Northside - only cistern rainwater collection.
Many apartments that include electricity are not legal and cannot get a second meter because they cannot get a certificate of occupancy for a second, third or even more unit on their property because of lot size or zoning.
Many apartments share a cistern with other units,share the cost of water trucked in and even if you are conservative others may not be, but all pay the same when the bills come.
Other appliances ,like stove,dryer,water pump,pool filter, fans, water heaters,garden lighting,driveway spotlights, hot tubs, the stealth factors on TV'setc. will also greatly affect your WAPA bill - not just AC.
Furnished or unfurnished is another huge factor in rental costs that you have to consider - furnished may cost double what a comparative apt. unfurnished will charge - and many unfurnished places are much nicer as they are very oriented to long term island tenants who feel a greater responsibility and are unlikely to move out on a moments notice - remember 'move in with just a suitcase, move out by just packing a suitcase'.
Safety - be it barred ground floor windows or sliding doors, alarm systems , gated parking, neighborhood watch, proximity to a main road where anyone can see when you are home or gone - should be an issue you take seriously.
Parking for how many and how big a vehicle - plus the ease of in and out or turnaround should be looked into.
An owner occupied building is another question for you to consider.

Excellent information.

What does the average Electric bill look like for how many rooms?

I am scheduled to be shown some rental properties by an agent in the area. The fellow was nice and provided lots of information. He indicated that all the realators generally show the same rental properties - so I have feeling that there is not a huge mark up on the property or profit gouging. Is that correct?

But I am no fool having lived in NYC for several years.

Sounds like unfurnished is the way to go, and I am good with just bringing over some basic necessities.

How about Internet bill (average); I use Verizon cell phone - is that available? How about AT&T phone service?

Some discussion about utilities can be found here:
https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,132309
The subject is "utilities-help..." from Feb 2010

Here's a search of "internet+broadband" from this board from the past year:
https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/search.php?4,search=internet+broadband,author=,page=1,match_type=ALL,match_dates=365,match_forum=4,match_threads=0

Exit Zero - I haven't seen that type of difference in rental prices (unfurnished vs. furnished) at all. And I've seen plenty of unfurnished apartments in bad shape and furnished places in bad shape.

I am in a two bedroom and run A/C only at night in the two bedrooms and my WAPA bill averages $280/month. I have a washer/dryer also. Water costs will be more if you rent a condo as they charge per gallon (usually $.05/gallon).

Thanks everyone.

That is very helpful information.