In 2006, my partner and I made the leap and purchased a one-bedroom co-op in a lovely suburban area. At the time, it felt like a fantastic decision. The space was perfect for just the two of us, the commute to the city was a breeze, and we envisioned it as a tranquil spot to start a family. Our plan was simple: stay for a few years, sell for a profit, and upgrade to a larger home for our future kids.
Then, just as we were about to close the deal, I discovered I was pregnant. Fast forward through the baby phase, and suddenly the housing market crashed, leaving us with an apartment we couldn’t sell without losing our hard-earned savings.
So, we ended up cozying up in that tiny apartment for seven years, eventually welcoming a second child. It wasn’t the perfect scenario, and by the time we moved, we were more than ready for a change. However, with lower mortgage payments, I could stay home with the kids, which was a dream of mine. The experience imparted some valuable lessons about life and parenting.
You Don’t Need Much to Raise Happy Kids
Living in a small space meant we didn’t have room for a mountain of toys, especially those big, shiny ones. Truthfully, most toys end up collecting dust after just a few days anyway. We spent countless hours outside, marveling at worms and digging in the dirt. Inside, we read, conducted science experiments, and created messy art projects. I may not have been Supermom, but having less forced me to engage more creatively with my kids.
Kids Crave People, Not Possessions
Living small allowed my husband, Jake, and me to work less. While I stayed home most of the time, Jake juggled a couple of part-time jobs. This meant our older son, Max, got to spend loads of time with both his parents during those formative years. Despite the concerns about living in such a compact space, we cherish those years as some of the best of our lives.
Less Space, Less Cleaning
Deep cleaning our 600-square-foot apartment took about an hour. That’s it!
Many Families Live with Even Less
While our apartment felt small by American standards, we lived more comfortably than many families around the globe—truly lavishly. Most families worldwide reside in much tighter quarters, often sharing space with extended family and lacking amenities like dishwashers and clean water. For an eye-opening perspective, check out this powerful photo series of children’s sleeping arrangements around the world.
Remember Your Privilege
Whenever I found myself grumbling about our cramped quarters (especially once our second child, Emma, started crawling and creating chaos), I would remind myself of how fortunate we were. Yes, it felt tight sometimes, but we had everything we truly needed. Our home was clean, cozy, and our fridge was always full.
A Bit of Clutter Can Drive You Crazy
Despite my attempts to stay positive, I do enjoy an organized space, and clutter could quickly make our small place feel chaotic. Just a few toys tossed around made it look like a tornado had hit! To combat this, I became quite the decluttering aficionado, a skill that has served me well even as we moved into a larger home.
Be Grateful for What You Have
I’ll admit, I grumbled plenty during our time in that apartment and often fretted about how we’d sell it. But I also learned to appreciate our little nest. It was the perfect setup for young parents and their small children. We even found creative ways to maintain our adult life amid the chaos!
Two years ago, we finally upgraded to a three-bedroom duplex with a yard. It’s not enormous, but it feels like a palace compared to our previous digs. We now have space to spread out, store more stuff, and retreat to different areas when we need a moment to ourselves.
Yet, I’ll always hold fond memories of that charming little apartment, all 600 square feet of it. No regrets about that chapter of our lives—I even find myself missing it sometimes. If you’re curious about family life in small spaces, consider reading more here or check out this guide for insights on home insemination.
In summary, living in a small apartment with my family taught me invaluable lessons about gratitude, creativity, and the importance of connection over possessions. While our new place is a welcome change, those tiny years will always hold a special place in my heart.