GA Life near Manhattan

I'll be moving to Manhattan from Los Angeles (does it get any more extreme?)
next month.

Any advice or relevant anecdotes out there to help me gather some leads
about continuing my flying hobby from there? I've been renting (in L.A.) -
usually from the FBO where I did my training.
I'm IFR rated with about 300hrs., and am pretty OK with the (busy) L.A.
airspace and ATC. I haven't looked at a NY sectional yet.

I've just started to look at airports near to where I will be (using Airnav,
FS2004 and other web tools), and I found "Linden" (LDJ) and "Essex" (CDW).
In fact, there appears to be a flying club that has a presence at both of
those.

I guess my main concern is easy transportation to/from these (or any other)
airports I might use, as I will be giving up my car (I hear it's a luxury
*not* to have a car living in Manhattan), and to learn about possible
desitations (nice places to go for a day or a weekend).

Any leads, tips or general discussion of GA from people living in/around
Manhattan would be great!