The choice about going Equity or not is really a business decision on your end. Once you go Equity, there are options that will be shut off to you, but there will be options that are opened up to you. Going to New York with your Equity Card in hand may not be such a bad option, as getting your card in NYC can be a challenge.
Just know that once you get your card, you are competing for jobs with everyone else who has a card (from Broadway SMs to those with SPT experience) - so you just have to think about where you are going to fit into the job market and have a good plan to market yourself.