Manhattan rentals

[MajorBaubles]

Am moving to manhattan in Feb with my family and are in the lucky position of having our rent paid for us (up to $10k a month).

Can anyone recommend a good website/estate agent to help us find a lower-manhattan furnished apartment, must be a two-bed (weird company rule, if it's 3 bed or more we can't have it - bizarre I know) short-let (6 months) and any advice on where to look/what to look for would also be appreciated.

There will be four of us, DH, 2DCs and I, schools are not needed as kids too young, but near-by entertainment for them is essential!

Also, can't be more than half hour walk from ground zero.

TIA

I have been drooling over our lottery win apartments here although I haven't actually used them yet

I know, it's like property porn isn't it??

Just difficult to find out which are the good areas for kids, and what makes one apartment $1k more per month than another of the same size, decisions, decisions...

If I had the choice I'd live near central park but they're the ££££££ ones!

Try Street Easy for rentals:
www.streeteasy.com

10K sounds a lot, but rents are sky high in Manhattan. Should get you a good three bedroom though, in nice doorman building.

Battery Park City increasingly popular with expats. Or Tribeca? V. desirable now, with a tippy-top state primary/elementary.

Another useful website:
www.nycmummy.com

Thanks so much DeB, I agree $10K sounds a ridiculous amount but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

Will have a look at those websites now.