Kobe Bryant Divorce -- Vanessa Shops for New York Apartment

Vanessa Bryant and her kids were in New York City over the weekend, looking for a big ol' apartment ... TMZ has learned.

Real estate sources tell us ... Vanessa won't say if she's packing up and moving from California -- but she definitely wants to buy a place in NYC.

It's not exactly a sign that she's reconciling with Kobe Bryant, even though the two were kissing after the Lakers game on Valentine's Day.

Vanessa now owns 3 estates in Newport Beach, after Kobe transferred title to her as part of their divorce -- which has not yet become final. And, as we first reported, Vanessa will score a total of $75 mil in the settlement.

As for whether Vanessa would move away from California ... we're told she thinks Lakers fans and Lakers wives don't like her -- at least that's the way she perceives it.

No doubt ... if Vanessa did move, it would royally screw Kobe up. He still loves her, wants her back, and doesn't want his kids to live across the country.

Our real estate sources say Vanessa made it clear -- Kobe knows she's shopping in the Big Apple.