Set aside $1900 a month out of the $1700 you'll be taking home after NY taxes for a luxurious 350 sqft. apartment near the airport and enjoy that living in base good life.

From what I've heard, the key is to fly in to JFK first, then take the NYC Airporter to LGA - somehow even in traffic this is only a 30 minute ride because of a dedicated lane for public transit(?), so that's my plan for now.