The length of stay will affect your choices. Under that you'll have to be very flexible.
Furnished housing is ideal for a family.
Renting furniture is extremely expensive. If you can't find a furnished place, consider a long-term lease at a hotel or holiday apartment. Alternatively, stay in a holiday apartment for a couple of weeks and collect furnishings at garage sales, auctions, and used furniture stores. Hopefully, you'll be living in a city where these options are available. This link to Global Travel Apartments may be a starting point to consider.