Amanda,
I checked with my uncle. He called me back and said he needed to know more info if he were to help you and he seemed willing to do what he could. He wants to know where you're going to be working and such. He also said that the average rent for a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan is $2500 a month. His house is totally rented out to the point that his one bedroom upstairs apartment that rents for $1800 a month had to be done lottery style. Sheesh...I couldn't handle that!! He said also that it will be difficult to find a place that will take dogs. I hate to disappoint you or put a damper on things, but I wanted you to know from a true New Yorker (or at least a transplanted New Yorker who has lived there for over 40 years!! lol) Let me know and I will call him back and see what he can do.