Minimum square footage to raise family

Apr 17 28 Comments

Currently living in the Bay Area and looking at open houses. By the looks of things, we can only afford a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1100 square foot condo.

We don’t have kids now but are planning on trying within the next year. Is 1100 sq ft do-able if we don’t buy too much stuff?

TC: $180k
Household TC: $280k

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TOP 28 Comments
  • Amazon
    !HexBug

    Go to company page Amazon

    !HexBug
    Unless you have guests/family visiting frequently, 2BR is plenty till kids are teens and want their own room. When they are kids, they prefer playing outside with other kids instead of inside the home.
    Apr 17 1
  • Accel
    🦄finder

    Go to company page Accel

    🦄finder
    That should work early on for first few years. As they get bigger they will need room to run around
    Apr 17 0
  • Truist
    🥜bank

    Go to company page Truist

    🥜bank
    We grew up in smaller homes back in our country! But coming here and getting used to these big houses, that 1100 sqft seems small for raising a family
    Apr 17 11
    • Also everyone takes different lessons from such an upbringing. My sister learned that she wanted a lot more space. I learned that I liked not having too much space. But yeah, would be good to get to the root of why she felt it wasn't enough space and address that directly.
      Apr 17
    • I'll add that the previous apartment I lived in was a building with 6 750sqft units. Two of the other units were families of 4 (2 kids, all around 6-10), and had all lived there for several years, and were all happy. Those units were 2bd, 1 bath split (bath/toilet separate).
      Apr 18
  • People raise a family of 8 in 200 sq feet
    Apr 17 2
  • Google
    gone7

    Go to company page Google

    gone7
    I know a family of 3 living in 800 sq ft. They are happy.

    You might feel a bit cramped when the baby is less than 2 years old because there is so much baby stuff. However, it is manageable afterwards.
    Apr 17 0