Consulting housing struggle, opinions wanted!

HI guys, I will be based out of NYC and don't know what to do in regards to living. I have family on Long Island that I might live with until I have saved enough, but I obviously don't want to live there forever. I am interested in if people have found it worth it to live in NY as an entry level or if they lived with family prior to moving in granted they were local? How much rent is too much on rent? I really have no idea what to do and told myself that I would try to move out after February, is that too early?