Anyone raising kids, or will be, in an apartment?

mrsman2018 · March 2016

My husband and I are currently debating whether or not we should move into a two bedroom apartment or rent a house. We are looking to buy a house, but realistically, we may not be able to purchase one until after baby comes. We need to leave the place we are at June 1. I guess I have in my mind that once you have a baby, you need a house. Anyone have any advice on this? What's it like raising kids in an apartment? Would it be better to rent a house until we are ready to buy?

MRSCORKER · March 2016

We have a 2 bedroom + den apartment. We actually upgraded to the +den so that DH could have his office for work and we could have the 2nd bedroom as a nursery. My opinion is, an infant doesn't need a whole lot of space. Maybe I'm naive as a FTM but until the baby is mobile, I'm not anticipating having any issues in our apartment. We plan to start to look for houses to buy about a year from now and will hopefully have a house with a yard in time for this baby to learn to walk, run, play, etc.
You might have to get creative with storage/living space, but I think you can make a small space work.

annabenanna · March 2016

You know, SO and I don't live in an apartment, but we live in a 2BR Duplex. We love it because it's so central, we can walk to restaurants and cafes.... Plus we've got a gorgeous deck overlooking a golf course... it isn't very big. We only have 1 bathroom, but I feel like we scored on the location + outdoor space. Then we got the BFP and now we are re-thinking all of it. Especially because we use the 2nd bedroom as my stepkids' bedroom when they are with us (only 4 nights a month, sometimes more).

So now were like, holy crap, 2 kids + a baby in that room????

But honestly, I don't think babies need that much space in the beginning. We'll carve out a space for the baby in the shared room.... and I think we can make it work.

Like @MRSCORKER said, maybe I am also being naive.... but I think about the families in Tokyo, Europe...even NYC and SF.... they've got such little space to work with...but they make it work! I think it's possible.

SuperNerd42 · March 2016

We were in a pretty small apartment when we had DD and it was really no big deal. The bouncy, swing, etc. took up some floor space, but other than that it was fine. Even when she was starting to walk it was nbd (fewer rooms to toddler proof too!)

MzOro82214 · March 2016

I've been in my 2+1 apartment for 5 years now but my kiddos are 9 & almost 12 so no big deal since they're bigger, but now that baby will be making his/her fall appearance, I've already started thinking about where everything will go. The crib will take up a substantial amount of space but I think my room can manage. The baby's dresser will most likely go in the boys' room since they have the space to work with (they sleep on a bunk bed). Since my unit is a "townhouse" style and I have stairs, I'll have to baby gate them but I don't forsee anything further that makes me feel limited on space. I'm definitely looking to purchase a house (backyard mandatory) in 3 years.

Tara0604 · March 2016

When we had our son, we were in a 1 bedroom apt. Now we are currently in a 2 bedroom (1,100 sq ft), our son will be 3 next month and it's honestly fine. We will be in this apartment for at least the next year or two, so the kids will share a room. When their room gets too small, we will switch and they will take the master bedroom and we will take the smaller bedroom until we are in a place financially to purchase what we want. Being in an apartment is really no big deal. My husband and I are both 1 of 2 and grew up in two bedroom apartments.

jillianpardo · March 2016

we moved to a two bedroom apt when I was preggo with my first. we ended up cosleeping for a long time so the second room was basically a giant playroom and storage space for the gobs of baby stuff we really didn't need. in hindsight I wish we had stayed in our studio a bit longer to save more money towards our house. we had our second baby and still rarely used the second room until we banished the girls from our bed. we spend most of the time out and about running errands, playing at the park, etc. so this space has been adequate. we have decided to find a bigger place now that I'm preggo with another(possibly two). we know we won't use the third bedroom for a while but 5 or 6 in this 2/1 apt would just feel absurd. it's been nice to not have to worry about lawn maintenance but there have been many times when I have wanted an enclosed yard for my girls.

jillianpardo · March 2016

some other thoughts: we chose a small apartment complex with only twelve units. this ended up being great. the owners were looking for tenants with families/settled down peaceful people. there are 9 kids in our complex which is great, lots of friends to play with and other moms to chat with easily ( easy enough to ignore too if you are having a rough day). we have negotiated or rent through each lease term and we aren't being nickle and dimed as you would with larger complexes.

br0co1ii · March 2016

We are currently in a 1 bedroom apartment and plan to continue this as long as possible. We aren't big on "things" and don't forsee needing much extra space for at the least the first year. After that, we will look into either a house or a 2 bedroom place. Depends on our work situation I suppose. (We plan to move across the country between now and then, so I'm not sure what jobs I'll be able to get.)

Paturkey · March 2016

We were in a 2-bed apartment until DS was almost two. It was not a big deal at all. Spent a lot of time at parks. Now we're in a 2-bed terraced house (i.e. a small brick brownstone with shared walls) and have no intention of moving ever. Baby will be in our room at least for the first six months, then later they'll share. The only thing I'd change is to have an en suite toilet in our room. I hate having to go down the hall to pee. Literally, though, that's my only complaint. I'm sure you guys will be fine. Also, not having a ton of space helps keep the unnecessary baby crap to a minimum.

artcheese · March 2016

I would just look at all your options in your price range and requirements and decide that way.

mothernorth · March 2016

I would say if you're in the process of looking for a house to buy, an apartment would be best. I don't know where you're from or what the cost of living is in your area, but pretty much everywhere it's more cost effective to rent an apartment. You don't have to worry about maintenance or yard expenses and things of that nature so there is more money to put back for a house, and although rent houses tend to be bigger, some landlords either do not properly outline what they do and do or do not take care of, and unfortunately sometimes just don't hold up to their end =/ Being in close quarters with many neighbors and a new baby may not sound ideal, but as long as you plan your living space out, you can make just about any roof over your head work out if you put your mind to it

Good luck no matter what you decide on! We've lived in a 3br rent home that was great, but when FI got laid off from the oil field we ended up with my brother for a few months, into a 2br trailer after that (with 2 kids and a newborn but made it work), and finally made it into a 3br duplex that we rent to own. We are now turning the attached garage into a master bedroom and our bedroom into a nursery for LO and baby on the way. Once it's paid off, we're turning the whole duplex into one house so we'll EVENTUALLY accommodate all of us with individual bedrooms

Moral of the story is, it can work no matter what, and happy hunting!

mrsman2018 · March 2016

Thanks everyone. I feel good about moving into an apartment now. I do think about people around the world who grow up in apartments, but it's uncommon here and I don't know anyone who has grown up in an apartment. I agree, babies don't have to take up too much space and you're forced to only have what you need. I live in Winnipeg and the average apartment price for a 2 bedroom is around $1,100 and probably $1,500 for a house. Depending on area. I think an apartment is a good idea for the first year or so. Thanks again.

LizaKate1213 · March 2016

When we had DS we were in a 500sq ft 1 bedroom apartment. We lived pretty minimally and it worked for the first two years. DH was deployed for half of that time, though. We upgraded to a bigger apartment then a house since then but I wouldn't change the way we started out for anything.

jeng100 · March 2016

We don't live in an apartment, but we do live in a tiny 900 sq ft house. I'll be honest, every day I wish we had more space, but we've been able to manage like this for the last 2.5 years with DD. The swing, bouncer, and high chair all take up a lot of room. And you have to get creative with storage. But at the beginning it wasn't too bad. Now that she's nearing 3, and accumulating so much stuff, and with another on the way, we are DEFINITELY ready to move up.

kayyx · March 2016

I'm in a 1 bedroom apartment and I'm pregnant with baby number two! definitely time to move now but I had no issues over the last year, I actually found it easier with everything being on the same floor with the baby, I cant wait to have my bedroom to myself 'one day' again though

mrsman2018 · March 2016

jeng100 We currently live in a large house right now that we are taking care of for a friend, but we are more used to apartment living since we have been doing that since we met. When in the apartment I thought of how I wanted more space and so we moved in here to save money and I do love the space and yard. Well, we can't stay here with a baby and didn't get enough saved yet, so back to the apartment and the old drawing board. Def was easy to take care of the apartment though!
Good luck with your move up. It's the goal! A bigger family will need more space.

gavzillaxo · March 2016

We renewed our lease in our two bedroom apartment right before I got my BFP. We don't plan to renew it next year, because we have been planning to move to a different state next year. DS room is a decent size and happens to already have two closets, so they will "share" a room. We will keep most things for the baby in there, but we plan to have the baby in our room for a good while.

mpunger · March 2016

My husband and I had just moved into our 1 bedroom apartment three days before I got my BFP so we will be here until the middle of next February. I was a little concerned about space but I've since read a ton of articles saying that it might get a little cramped but won't cause to much difficulties. I assume that even if we did have a two bedroom I would still be more comfortable with the baby sleeping in our room for the first 5 or 6 months anyway.

depineta · March 2016

It looks like we'll be doing the same. We have been house hunting for awhile now in a crazy market and we're ready to throw in the towel for another year. I'm not worried about having the baby in an apartment, I'm just relieved I don't have to look at houses for awhile!

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