Not that this is my specialty but I will put my two cents in. Leland Cypress may grow quickly but they also don't seem to last all that well. I love box wood, but they take quite a while to grow.

I would almost say, if possible, put up trellis and grow roses up and along it.

Hope it helps!

I love the look of boxwood too. although I'd like to gain some privacy in the yard in the first year.

Hmmm, how tall can Boxwood grow and how much is the cost of buying a large one?

Boxwood in a fairly large size I believe would be prohibitively expensive. Maybe find a nursery that specializes in trees and shrubs and see what they would recommend.

Leland Cypress are way too large for a townhome sized yard. Do not expect anything to grow fast enough to screen your view this year. Can you put in a privacy fence? (Check the condo rules). Depending on the length of the side you're screening (you didn't provide dimensions) you might consider a row of trellis to cover with fast growing annual vines for this year if you can't install a fence. Then plant clematis or another perennial vine which will gain size over the years. As far as investing in a living fence, forget 'cheap and fast' and keep in mind that if you plant shrubs (or trees if there is really enough room) you need to be patient for 5 or more years before they will grow to any size. If interested in shrubs for a hedge, you need to tell us the size of the planting area.