What do you need for living space?

We are deep in thought over here trying to figure out where we are going to live next. We are staying in this town, just can't stay here, in this particular apartment. I hate moving but I think deciding where to move might be worse. You can't have everything. It would be nice to have everything at the price you'd like to pay, but oddly enough the world doesn't work like that.

We are really lucky to be in a place that has a pool. We are trying to decide if it is worth it to us to stay in an apartment so that we can enjoy the pool, 3 months a year. There are other benefits to being here too but that one is calling us. It is really nice to go swimming and come right back inside without getting into a car. And bonus, we don't have to clean it!!!

I've been trying to decide what features of a home are most important. Here is what I've come up with.

• All 3 bedrooms on one floor. I don't want any of the kids on a different floor at night. I can just imagine someone falling down stairs in their sleepy stupor.
• Someplace to park inside a garage. It doesn't have to be our own garage, but it would be wonderful to park the car inside during the winter.
• At least 2 toilets. This might not be a requirement for you, but there are often multiple times a day when it is imperative to have 2 toilets or else clean up a mess on the floor. I'm not sure why it works this way but it does. 2 toilets for us.
• A large enough living space to accommodate some kid stuff. It doesn't have to be huge, but we'd like to bring the kitchen and slide... (really, an indoor slide is the BEST toy ever, especially on rainy days) 
• location, location, location. It has to be close enough to public transportation that Arthur doesn't spend an extra hour every day walking to the T. It also needs to be in a decent enough neighborhood that we can get out for a walk. Near a playground is a huge bonus. Any time we don't have to drive somewhere we are happy.  

What is on your list of must haves for your living space? 

Comments

[Heather D]

I hear you on two toilets. We have one and it may lead to the demise of my marriage (JK!). And our child doesn't even use the toilet yet!
What we don't have now, and what I would love, is a larger living space and smaller bedrooms. And lots of storage.
And I love having a backyard. Especially when the weather is nice.

[Andrea @ The Train To Crazy]

I'd love a yard. Unfortunately, we really can't afford one around here...

[Andrea @ The Train To Crazy]

I'll rephrase that. We don't want to afford one...

[Erin]

When Superman and I were pregnant with Charming, we moved into what I still feel was the perfect apartment. In fact, if I could build a little house, I'd build it just like that apartment. It was 1000 square feet, had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a patio, as well as a good sized dining room, living room, and kitchen. Ample closet space and the master bedroom was big enough to be a retreat and was connected to one of the bathrooms...the second bedroom was big enough for our two boys. The second bathroom was in the hall towards the living room and obviously meant for "public" use, keeping the master bath separate and private. I loved, loved, loved that apartment. So much, in fact, that we lived there for 8 years and weren't tempted to move...it was perfect. (Oh, and it had a garage for one car and a parking space for another...it was So Cal...winter wasn't an issue.)

[Laurie McFarland]

Hey! I didn't know you had a blog! I guess I've been living under a rock.

I just need room for my big piano. Oh, and my family...

[Sarah]

Now that we are living in a house with tiny bedrooms, I realize that is okay! we're hardly in them except to sleep and change. And now that we are in a house with a huge basement, i don't know how i will ever do without one ever again! i can't say how awesome it is for the big kids to be as loud as they want to while the baby sleeps upstairs undisturbed. and when all three are up, there's enough space for all to run around. AND best of all, when it's messy, i can close the door each night and not deal with the mess if i dont' want to! hope you find everything you need(and want)!

[Heather]

Storage and two bathrooms are a must for me. I like the garage because it is so nice here during the winter months. I do wish that the garage was attached because walking from garage to house in the winter is cold and slippery. BRRR.

[Stephanie]

The things that would be a must in my next home (honestly I don't think there will ever be a next home, unless we win the lotto) would be: 1. More storage space ~ we live in an older home and have very few closets. 2. Sunlight!!!! ~ we live on the shady side of the street and it really makes such a difference to your mood when the house feels dark. Sometimes I wish I could just knock a whole wall down so I can get to the sunlight!!!

Enjoy searching for a home, it can be stressful but think of all the memories you will be making in your new place.