Tips for moving to NYC?

I'm 21. In community college, no degree yet. I've done a bit of travelling, last year I visited New York City.I never really wanted to visit, went by chance, and I fell in love. Not just with Manhattan, but with the people, the transportation, just the whole place. I don't particularly like my home in California, I still live with family and I need to be more independent.I know it's cliche, but I want to start a new life. I found a couple articles off Google, so I get that it's expensive, tough, sometimes loney,a lot of people move back within a year, etc. I'm prepared for that. I want to do this and I'm not naïve. I want to live in what I perceive to be the greatest city in the world, I want to earn my keep and I don't ever want to leave. I need a starting-off point. Tips, links to articles, anything to help me get started.If you live in the city, you know something that can help. So please help? Thanks a lot.