Relocation vs. current PE job market?

I have a pre-MBA associate offer from a small PE shop far away from where I am, in a city where I don't know anybody. I would rather try to find an associate position in NY in the next 6 months, but not sure how easy that will be. My experience is 2 years in M&A at a BB i-bank and 1 year in the M&A group at a large-cap public company.

Question is, are small-MM PE shops in NYC looking to hire 3rd year analysts in the next few months, and would I still be a candidate coming from a buy-side position in a highly regarded Corporate Development group vs. candidates who stayed in i-banking for their 3rd year (or vs. 1st and 2nd year analysts for that matter)?

I think that most recruiters and people at PE firms will underestimate the value of a good Corp Dev experience. Analysts at a BB i-bank would not usually get the skills I have developed in terms of bottoms-up modeling, deal structuring & negotiating, project management and communications, integration & operations, strategy and sourcing. What is the best way to convey this point up front to people so that I can even get interviews at PE shops?

Also - if I dont get another pre-MBA associate opportunity in the next 6-12 months, is the window for me getting into PE closed until I graduate from a top 5 MBA program or unitl I become a senior deal executive with a good track record at an acquisitive public company?

Thanks in advance.