one or two bedroom?

[Anonymous]

I will likely be moving out soon with my young elementary DS - I expect to have around 75% custody during the school year, less during the summer. Trying to decide between renting a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. I could afford a 2 bedroom without compromising our basic financial situation, but it would definitely mean pinching pennies and some sacrifices on fun stuff, and also dropping some time-saving luxuries that really help me as a working mom (Aldi instead of instacart, for example). I am not really a "house" person, so it doesn't sound terrible at all to live in a small space with me sleeping in the living room and DS getting the bedroom. But obviously it would be an inconvenience and not as comfortable as 2 bedrooms. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Would a 1-bedroom plus den be an option? (i.e. available and cheaper than a 2BR.) That might be the best solution.

If you did a 1 bedroom, you could both have beds in the bedroom and just use it for sleeping. Put him to bed, hang out in the living room until your bedtime. Could work in the short term. I've lived in a couple of older apartments that had a large enough bedroom for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will likely be moving out soon with my young elementary DS - I expect to have around 75% custody during the school year, less during the summer. Trying to decide between renting a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. I could afford a 2 bedroom without compromising our basic financial situation, but it would definitely mean pinching pennies and some sacrifices on fun stuff, and also dropping some time-saving luxuries that really help me as a working mom (Aldi instead of instacart, for example). I am not really a "house" person, so it doesn't sound terrible at all to live in a small space with me sleeping in the living room and DS getting the bedroom. But obviously it would be an inconvenience and not as comfortable as 2 bedrooms. Thoughts?

how much flexibility do you have on where to live? There are some really cheap 2-bedroom size places in the suburbs (Maryland especially) if you look for them. But if you are tied to some of the more expensive DC neighborhoods by schools, by some restriction to stay close to your ex, or not wanting to commute, then it's harder.

[Anonymous]

two

[Anonymous]

I was in the same situation and got the two bedroom, and now my daughter sleeps in my room with me every night. For me, the big benefit of having a two bed, is that when we have visitors they can have a room, otherwise a one bed would have been fine.

[Anonymous]

For some people whose kids like to sleep with them, a one bedroom would be fine. My kids have always liked to have their own space, especially when they sleep, so in my case I would need a two bedroom. It depends on your specific needs. Also, does your child want a space to decorate, so he feels like it's his own? This might be important, too.

[Anonymous]

The kids age matters. 4-5 is different than 7-8. The older they get, the more they want their own space. I'd give the OP a different answer DS is 5 or 8.

[Anonymous]

If you aren't used to sleeping in tight quarters and being around each other 24/7 already, I would opt for a 2 bedroom. I've always been a single parent and know that I need my own space at some point during the day/night. When my friends have gotten divorced, the one thing they all commented on that took some getting used to was that they were always "on." The kids were always right there and they were the only one they could go to. Plus, as your child gets older, their friends might want to come over and it might be awkward explaining that mommy sleeps on the sofa.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids in a 2 bdr because that is all I can afford in my kids' school neighborhood. My youngest is currently having a play date and I can hear his friend asking all kinds of questions about why he does not have his own room and my son being embarrassed. I am doing my best but it sucks when everyone around lives in big houses.

In your case, I would get the bigger place.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning on dating? Maybe not right away but sometime. Smaller place will make it harder.

[Anonymous]

Single Mom here with a 7 year old boy. We left our townhome and moved to a 2B/2Ba apartment- and haven't looked back. The convenience factors of having a doorman (security), friends who also live in the building and proximity to school far outway other factors like actual space.

For me, in adapting to the challenges of being a solo parent, the number one thing that helped was moving to a home very close to school. Although DC is too young to go by themselves, this time saved from commuting has been an amazing gift back to us. When we're together in the evenings, tired after a day of work and school, we can just plan on being home and eating. Luckily most activities are done in aftercare instead of driving around during the school week in the evenings.

I would also consider a 1BR + den.

[Anonymous]

One bedroom. Plan to move when he's around 10 or 11 into a two-bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One bedroom. Plan to move when he's around 10 or 11 into a two-bedroom.

This is what I am doing. And I have a futon in the living room in case I need it or those days come unexpectedly.

[Anonymous]

One bedroom, and give it to your son.

Invest in a really great sleeper sofa, and sleep on that. (A storage ottoman is great for storing blankets when not in use.)

Use half of his closet to hang your clothing, even put your dresser in there if there is space. (If you go this route, keep a section of your linen closet open for your pajamas, so you don’t have to disturb him after bedtime.)

If not, make a dresser your TV stand.

[Anonymous]

I'd do the one bedroom as long as you can, and bank that extra money as long as you can. Since you're renting just re-evaluate every year.