In 2006, my partner and I decided to purchase a one-bedroom co-op in a lovely suburban area. It felt like a solid choice at the time—just the two of us in a manageable space, an easy commute to the city, and a peaceful neighborhood where we envisioned raising a family. Our plan was simple: live there for a few years, sell at a profit, and then upgrade to a bigger home for our future kids.
But right before the deal was finalized, I discovered I was pregnant. Soon after, our little one arrived, followed by a real estate market crash that made selling our apartment a nightmare. We would have lost nearly all of our savings. So, we ended up residing in that snug little apartment for seven years, and yes, we welcomed a second child during that time. It wasn’t the ideal situation, but by the time we finally moved, we were itching to get out. On the bright side, our low mortgage allowed me to stay home with the kids, which was a dream come true for me. And throughout those years, I learned some incredibly valuable life lessons.
You Don’t Need Much to Raise Happy Kids
Living in a small space meant we didn’t have room for heaps of toys, especially the largest, most extravagant ones. Let’s be honest—most toys only get played with for a short period before they end up stuffed in a toy basket, never to resurface. Instead, we spent a lot of time outside, marveling at worms on the sidewalk and getting our hands dirty. Inside, we dove into reading, conducted science experiments, and created a whirlwind of messy art projects. I may not have been Supermom, but having limited space pushed me to engage in more creative and home-based activities with my children.
Kids Need People More Than Things
With lower housing costs, my partner and I didn’t have to work as much. He juggled a couple of part-time jobs while I focused on the kids, squeezing in work on weekends and evenings. My older son, in particular, had tons of quality time with both of us during his early years. Despite our worries about living in such a small space, those years are now some of our fondest memories.
Less Space Equals Less Cleaning
Cleaning our 600-square-foot apartment took me about an hour. Boom.
Most of the World Lives with Much Less
While our apartment might seem small by American standards, we lived quite comfortably compared to many families around the globe—really, we were living in luxury. Many families reside in far smaller spaces, often sharing with extended family, and many lack basic amenities like dishwashers, air conditioning, or even clean water. Curious? Check out this powerful photo series that showcases children’s sleeping spaces worldwide.
Before Complaining, Check Your Privilege
Whenever I felt the urge to complain about our cramped quarters—especially once my second child began crawling and causing chaos—I reminded myself of our privilege. Yes, it was tight, but we truly had everything we needed. Our home was clean, cozy, and our fridge was always full. We lived like royalty in our little nest.
A Little Clutter Can Drive You Crazy
Despite my attempts to stay grounded, I do prefer an organized space, and clutter can really get under my skin. In a small area, just a few toys on the floor could make it look like a disaster zone. To combat this, I became a decluttering pro, a skill that’s served me well even after moving to a larger home.
Gratitude is Key, No Matter the Size
I’ll admit, I voiced my fair share of complaints while living in that apartment and worried about how we’d ever be able to sell it. Yet, I also learned to appreciate our space for what it was. It was the perfect setup for young parents and their small children. I often felt like we were cozy in our little nest, raising our baby chicks. (And yes, we still found a way to keep the romance alive—ever heard of the living room?)
When we finally moved two years ago, we upgraded to a three-bedroom duplex with a yard. It may not be huge, but it feels like a palace compared to our former apartment. We’ve loved having more space to spread out and the ability to retreat to separate areas when we need a moment of peace.
Still, I’ll always cherish that cute little apartment, all 600 square feet of it. I have no regrets about our time there—sometimes, I even find myself missing it.
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Summary:
Living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment with a family of four offered me invaluable life lessons about happiness, gratitude, and the importance of experiences over possessions. Despite the challenges of limited space, it became a nurturing environment for our children, emphasizing quality time over material comforts. Now in a larger home, I still carry the fond memories of our cozy nest.