Hellobee Boards

To buy - 1400
To rent - 1000

Hmm, we had 1100 as a rental before and it was good. I grew up in an 1100 sq ft home and it was fine. So, I know that size is doable. Our home now is 1500.

Our next home will be at least 2500 but I would prefer 3500. I know that's a lot but I want space and plenty of bedrooms.

900 for renting with a kid. 1800 for owning.

We moved out of a 1200 sq foot rent house. It worked for us, but was kind of cramped. We have nearly 2000 now and it is AMAZING how much more room 800 sq feet make. I would say no less than the 2000 we have now.

For renting with a kid I wouldn't want to go much smaller than what we have now-- we currently are in a 1250 sq ft apt but I guess I could possible do 1000. 500 in crazy for more than one person!

For buying I guess at least 1500 but really more like 2000. We want two kids and extra space.

Renting: 650 sq. ft. for two adults/ 750 sq. ft. with kids.
Buying: 1100 sq. ft.

The smallest apartment I've lived in has been about 600 sq. ft. and it was tight. We had a decent amount of closet space though, so we were able to keep it open feeling. Our house is 1100 sq. ft. and I think it will fit a family of 3-4 comfortably. I grew up in houses this size, so I know it's doable.

I couldn't go back to renting.
We use to live in a 1300 square foot house, and it was tight. I don't think I would go that small again. When we were looking at houses I didn't want anything smaller than 2,500 (but we knew we could find that kind of housing in our budget, if we couldn't afford that I don't know what I would do).

Had to be at least 2500 for purchase, but for renting I would say 1500.

Our minimum when buying was 2500 but we ended up with 3100 (plus basement). If I had to do it over again I might try to stick with a lower number because we're only using about 1/3 of the space.

To rent: Probably 800 square feet. I lived in a house that had roughly that at one point and it was doable (but wouldn't have been ideal with kids). The place we rent now is about 950 square feet and I think we could deal with having one baby in it. It wouldn't be spacious, but we could do it.

To buy: 2000 square feet. When we buy, we'll be buying something we want to stay in for a while and raise a family in, so we'd need space.

Oh man, our place is so tiny compared to what you all are looking for!

We live in a 3 BR (tho one bath) 2 level home...with two kids and the two of us...and it is about 1300 sq ft! The basement is totally undeveloped, and that is going to have to happen sooner rather than later, but we are totally fine in this space!

In my absolutely ideal world, I might like, say, 1600 sq ft max right now! When the kids are teenagers, I am sure I will be singing another tune!

To rent - 600 sq ft
To buy - 1400

In SF, most apartments are on the small side and if it was a great location I might sacrifice space.

We currently own & have a 1300sqft home with a finished basement. It's 3br/2 full bath, and I feel cramped with the three of us here! I can't imagine having another baby in this house, let alone teenagers. This definitely isn't our forever home!

@BabyBoecksMom: I agree, layout is key! So is.furniture-there is no point in having big furniture with a small place.

We are in 725 sq ft now, and it is great for us. We plan on staying here for a while. We are renters,but we are thinking we will stay through at least another year, which will hopefully mean with a baby!

@Arden: wow those are tiny lol

It really depends on the layout. Our old condo was just over 1200sf, but wasn't setup well for children or a family.

We have just over 2600sf now, which is more than enough. I would never want or need something larger, especially living in New England where the heating costs are astronomical. I don't like wasted space.

@runnerd: we have one whole floor currently unfurnished!

So much square footage on this thread! Our apartment is about 750 sq. ft. It's totally fine for us and our LO...but not really for 3 humans and 2 cats. We have looked at apartments to buy in our area and they have been between 825 and 1200 sq. ft. Gotta love NYC!

@TurtleDoves: My apartment is probably the size of your closet. Can we move in?

I agree with @BabyBoecksMom: its all about layout! My parents house is similar square footage but feels muh bigger to me because its a two story instead of a ranch. We were in 900 square feet for the first few weeks as a family of three and with zero storage or garage space it was soooo cramped! If I didn't see and hubby don't old we'd be fine in smaller spaces.