Rent control and stabilization in NYC is for buildings with 6 or more apartments. None of my buildings have that. I truly think you can get an apartment for about $800. You can easily afford that washing dishes at a restaurant. In the rarefied NYC economy even dishwashers make $12 per hour.....cash....and you are given dinner too.

It depends what you do for work. You can easily make it in NY because you don't have any automobile expense if you live in the city. Buy a monthly metrocard and your entire travel expense will be $60 per month.

Just as an example I know of a 3 bedroom large, new apartment for rent for $1500 in a great neighborhood in Queens.

Good luck.