Find a person looking for roomies on craigslist in the Queens section of the NYC page. Find lots of shared places, 2-3 bedrooms, for 600-700 (often times utilities included). They go less than that but become more sketchy. If you want to live in the ghetto, rent is practically nothing....
Make sure you have the time to go see the apartments soon after talking to people. Otherwise, renters will treat you like a dead rat if you try to rent their place over the phone.
Studios = fugetaboutit
The Target in central queens sells many staple dry goods for cheap. There is a big Costco in West Queens. Fresh/cheap produce is everywhere. Lots of cheap restaraunts in queens. There are 4 bus lines going to LGA, do an apartment search based on them. No train even close. Employee parking is easier than taking 2 city buses to work. Usually easier than taking one bus (and I'm a block away from a stop)....
I live two miles away and give myself 40 min from my door to crew room showtime. There tons that commute from PA and NJ that fight the traffic for 2-4hrs everyday. But the tolls are high over the bridges and tunnels.
As long as you don't have a lot of bills to pay, enjoy the nightlife. City is a couple subway stops away!!!
Good luck.