New York doesn't love me but sometimes I like to pretend we're dating

So it’s down to the last round of interviews and I will probably know if we are moving to New York this summer in the next couple of weeks. A serious look at the NYC housing market has begun and it’s pretty easy to obsess. I mean we have a ridiculous rent controlled artist loft in the middle of downtown right now so I know we’ll be cutting back a bunch and I’m cool with that.

things to consider:

Must be under 40 min commute to Chelsea
Something 2k a month or less please
Gotta be ok with the little dog
Would we consider living with roommates? I kinda like my space these days but maybe for the right situation
Is Williamsburg overrated? Like jesus I think it might be cheaper to just get a reasonable little studio with a loft bed in Manhattan, how much am I gonna want to hang out in Brooklyn anyway? Are those my people? 
Should we use a broker? Do people still use brokers to find apartments?  
Do I store my cool stuff at my mom’s, sell it off or drag it across the country? Note to self: mid century modern furniture costs 3x as much out there

Anybody got any connections out there? Give me a holler!