Actress Kerry Washington is determined to keep costs down as she prepares to move from Los Angeles to New York - she's searching for a bargain Big Apple apartment.

The Ray star is swapping coasts for the next year to perform in David Mamet's play Race on Broadway, but she's already apprehensive about the city's notoriously expensive real-estate.

And 32-year-old Washington has reached out to pals to help her meet her living demands.

In an e-mail to friends acquired by the New York Post, she writes: "The search is on to find a place to live. I am looking for a one-year lease or sublet. My wish list is: Manhattan, furnished, about $3,000 (GBP2,000) (per month) and starting at some point in September (09)."