Well, over a whole square foot of screen space.
Different manufacturers and different product lines hit different sizes -- e.g. Samsung makes 40", LG 42". 42" also puts you in the range of plasma, which uses more electricity and throws more heat (an actual concern in some NYC spaces), but generally has better black levels (contrast). Downside of plasma: reflective screen means you need a light-controlled viewing space. Some people prefer LCD colors, some plasma.
There are two LCD features of note: 120hz (or 240hz) and LED backlighting. 120hz allows motion interpolation to make movies and other film content look "smoother" (most people dislike this), as well as sporting events (people generally like this). It also allows perfect 5:5 pulldown of 24hz film content, which lets you see each frame of a movie for the same amount of time (instead of alternating one frame 3x, the next 2x, the next 3x etc.). LED backlighting makes the set thinner, and the "local dimming" variety offers plasma-like contrast levels.
Your price range rules out LED, and very likely 120hz as well. Given that, I'd seriously consider plasma (like
this Panny). But make sure whatever set you get is true 1080p -- sitting close up means you'll need every bit of resolution.
edit: note that 5:5 is an *alternative* to motion interpolation (smoothing). But 120hz/240hz covers both features (600hz on plasmas is a fake "feature" that has nothing to do with this).
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