Look at Astoria in Queens. Very easy bus ride to LGA and you can take the subway to AirTrain for JFK. Lived there for years and really loved the neighborhood type feel but still lots of restaurants and bars. Subway to midtown Manhattan takes 20 minutes. Expect to pay
2500-3000 for a decent apartment. If you want luxury look at some of the new towers they just built in Long Island City (4000+). You have your whole life to be a cranky old dude in Florida…enjoy the city life while you can.