Creative guy looking for room in NYC area, possibly w/ another creative(s)

I work in TV/film and I'm looking to move to the NYC area, thinking about Brooklyn or Queens but open to other areas as well. I'm looking for a place where I could live for about 5 years.

I've heard of Richmond Hill, 30min from Manhattan with single family houses and driveways but I know nothing of the neighborhood and what it's like there. I'd like to rent a room in a house or apartment with a suburban feel to it and not too far from the city.

I also thought of Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken but I've heard the Path train gets expensive if you have to make more than 1 or 2 trips into the city everyday. That could really add up with last minute trips so I'm thinking of staying in NY and getting the monthly MTA pass.

About me: I'm clean and respectful, been a vegetarian for just over a year (but I won't criticize you if you eat meat), have a car but will most likely use the MTA to get around, have 2 well behaved cats that are family to me so I'll need a someone who is okay with cats.

I'm looking to keep my rent around $1,000-1,100/mo, maybe $1,500 only if I had to.