1-bedroom apartment with kids?

[Anonymous]

We’ve been renting a house a family member graciously let us rent for dirt cheap during my divorce. Now we must move on. All I can comfortably afford for now is a 1 bed/1 bath apartment, and that’s fine. I’m just wondering, if you live in this situation, how do you find privacy/your own space?

I’m going to give my two boys the bedroom to share. We will forego the dining room and instead eat meals on tray tables or around the coffee table, so I can put a bed/dresser there for myself.

How does this layout work for you? Any other suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Do they have visitation with the other parent? I used that as my alone time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have visitation with the other parent? I used that as my alone time.

Nope! Unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been renting a house a family member graciously let us rent for dirt cheap during my divorce. Now we must move on. All I can comfortably afford for now is a 1 bed/1 bath apartment, and that’s fine. I’m just wondering, if you live in this situation, how do you find privacy/your own space?

I’m going to give my two boys the bedroom to share. We will forego the dining room and instead eat meals on tray tables or around the coffee table, so I can put a bed/dresser there for myself.

How does this layout work for you? Any other suggestions?

Are three people allowed in a one bedroom apartment?

[Anonymous]

Can you find a basement apartment somewhere? Usually these are bigger and cost less. Or a 1 bedroom with a den (that's what I have).

With the 1 bed apartment, maybe you can do bunkbeds and a queen size in the main bedroom and then you can use the livingroom for when the kids are sleeping as a place to relax.

[Anonymous]

Check out the Ikea catalog for ideas. You can use Kallax book cases (cheap) as dividers and extra storage. Get a daybed for yourself to sleep on. If you really want privacy there are floor to ceiling divider panel/curtains you can buy. In NYC people even put up entire “pressure walls” to create rooms, not sure if that’s a thing here. And instead of tray tables, you can look into tables with “wings” that fold down. Apartment Therapy is also a good resource to look at for small space ideas!

Just have fun with it. In NYC its normal to live in small spaces - its all about mindset!

[Anonymous]

Dated a guy in high school with this set up. He also had a single mom. It was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you find a basement apartment somewhere? Usually these are bigger and cost less. Or a 1 bedroom with a den (that's what I have).

With the 1 bed apartment, maybe you can do bunkbeds and a queen size in the main bedroom and then you can use the livingroom for when the kids are sleeping as a place to relax.

whispers … I’ve been sleeping on a twin bed for years and its fine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been renting a house a family member graciously let us rent for dirt cheap during my divorce. Now we must move on. All I can comfortably afford for now is a 1 bed/1 bath apartment, and that’s fine. I’m just wondering, if you live in this situation, how do you find privacy/your own space?

I’m going to give my two boys the bedroom to share. We will forego the dining room and instead eat meals on tray tables or around the coffee table, so I can put a bed/dresser there for myself.

How does this layout work for you? Any other suggestions?

Are three people allowed in a one bedroom apartment?

Landlords generally can limit occupancy to 2/room, if they choose.

Check your lease.

Legally, about 100sqft/person is generally required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been renting a house a family member graciously let us rent for dirt cheap during my divorce. Now we must move on. All I can comfortably afford for now is a 1 bed/1 bath apartment, and that’s fine. I’m just wondering, if you live in this situation, how do you find privacy/your own space?

I’m going to give my two boys the bedroom to share. We will forego the dining room and instead eat meals on tray tables or around the coffee table, so I can put a bed/dresser there for myself.

How does this layout work for you? Any other suggestions?

Are three people allowed in a one bedroom apartment?

The HUD rules are 2 per bedroom +1. So, 3 in a one-bed is fine.

[Anonymous]

DH and I spent a little more than 5 years with our two young kids in a 700 sq ft one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. We graduated to a 1200 sq ft house with just one tiny bathroom. Now our oldest is in college, suddenly the tiny bathroom seems a lot bigger

You can do this, OP. People around the world do this all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’ve been renting a house a family member graciously let us rent for dirt cheap during my divorce. Now we must move on. All I can comfortably afford for now is a 1 bed/1 bath apartment, and that’s fine. I’m just wondering, if you live in this situation, how do you find privacy/your own space?

I’m going to give my two boys the bedroom to share. We will forego the dining room and instead eat meals on tray tables or around the coffee table, so I can put a bed/dresser there for myself.

How does this layout work for you? Any other suggestions?

Are three people allowed in a one bedroom apartment?

Landlords generally can limit occupancy to 2/room, if they choose.

Check your lease.

Legally, about 100sqft/person is generally required.

I don’t think they can do this if they are kids.

[Anonymous]

While the kids are at school or asleep. My self-care is reading a book I like in the bath after bedtime.

[Anonymous]

My friend gave her kids the bedroom and used folding screens to make the dining room her bedroom. It worked well, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I spent a little more than 5 years with our two young kids in a 700 sq ft one bedroom, one bathroom apartment. We graduated to a 1200 sq ft house with just one tiny bathroom. Now our oldest is in college, suddenly the tiny bathroom seems a lot bigger

You can do this, OP. People around the world do this all the time.

+1
I lived in Europe in an apartment that was ~600 sq ft with 3 people. It can be done. It’s tight and you all figure out how to give eachother space. The key is to get out everyday and make the most of the city amenities!