For the price range you mentioned, you can find a decent 2 bedroom apartment but might not find a respectable townhouse for that price until you go up to the $900+ range. You can find an older house to rent near the airport (East End) in that price range, if you'd prefer a house over desired location.

Check out www.roommates.com just for an idea of going rates in the area as well. For apartments/condos, check out www.apartmentguide.com too. Something along Lauderdale (near Short Pump Mall) and Route 1 (near Virginia Center Commons) might be good areas to start. If you want to live closer to VCU, the Fan is awesome, the parking -- not so much.