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Living Situation (long- WWYD?)
We currently live in a one story, 2 BR, 1200 sqft apartment. We've lived here a year. The neighborhood is safe and very nice; mostly families or older couples. We pay $740/month including water.
I went to the rental office today because we either needed to sign a new lease or sign a paper going month to month. We (read: I) want to move but we are having disagreements about where/when/how much we can afford. The 3 BR apartments in nice areas are $1k/month and IMO that's crazy because we could buy a house for that. DH wants to stay here for as long as possible (until we are in a position to buy) but I am freaking out about having no room!
So anyway, I'm talking to our apartment manager today and she moreorless said she wants us to move. She would (obviously) prefer we stay in the neighborhood, but wants us to move to a 2 BR townhome... finished basement, main floor, 2 bedrooms upstairs. There aren't any 3 BR's in this neighborhood. I sort of feel like that would be a pointless move... it's about the same size, $110 more per month and other than "spreading out" it wouldn't help us much. Nolan is too young to go downstairs alone so it's not like we could make that a play room with all of his toys or something. Basically the basement would only be for storage (which would help) but it's not like it's going to give us more room. We wouldn't put two newborns down there and have us 2 floors up... nor would we put Nolan down there. It's not made to be a BR anyway- no windows. Her concern is that once the babies come we are going to be disturbing to the neighbors if we stay in our apartment. I can see that but at the same time, I just don't know what the best option is. With me not working the last year, and only working PT right now, we don't really have anything saved up to move to a more expensive place or to buy a home so I feel like we're stuck.
Regardless, we have to be out by next October because we signed the lease to go month to month and it's good for a year. When we go back next October, we'll have 5 people living in an apartment that is fire-marshalled (or whatever) for 4. So, legally, we can't live here. But, since the babies aren't here yet we're allowed in the meantime.
DH thinks we should just live here until next October and then hopefully we'll be in a better financial situation and can move into our "forever" home. I don't see how we'll be in a situation to do that because I won't be going back to work until school starts, and even then it'll probably just be subbing unfortunately.
I think that we should move now... we don't have all the extra baby stuff (and babies) to worry about and even if we have to move into another apartment, house for rent, or foreclosed home that has a decent mortgage... at least we'd have more room. Knowing that we'd still have another move ahead of us down the road.
We're in a tough spot here and I'm stressed! If it were you, WWYD?
Re: Living Situation (long- WWYD?)
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We are cramped with 3 of us... with 5 of us I really think it will be unlivable.
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I agree with Amy-if you were to buy, or even move someplace more expensive right now, and then end up on bed rest, it would definitely be a stress. Does your complex also own the townhomes she wants you to move into? I think, if they are so intent on getting you out of the apartment, they should cut you a break on the townhome. Either the two bedroom at what you pay now or a three bedroom at a reduced rate when it becomes available. Packing up to move when pregnant with twins or with twin newborns is a major inconvenience and to ask you to do so because they don't want you "bothering others", is ridiculous. I am so angry for you right now!
ETA: My concern about buying a home is not the mortgage but all the other expenses. Home maintenance (I read recently to figure 1% of the homes value per year), taxes, etc add up so quickly plus almost always the utilities increase because you get more space.
I agree with Amy. You have to take the space cruch insanity over the money stress insanity - - which one will effect your family more, the answer is simple. (And I have no idea if I used the right affect/effect, someone can point that out later.)
I would sign a month lease for the moment, to buy you some time to look around more for a bigger place in your price range. Then perhaps next month you can resign for a year if necessary.
We live in a similar area (america map wise) and we were paying $795 for a 2 bedroom apartment. Our complex wanted us out at the resign of our lease because Mike was growing his business at the time and they didn't like the sight of the snow plow and trailer on his truck.
On craigslist of all places - we were able to find a 3 bedroom house, for $895.
I'm so happy we made that move, especially since in that time we've had Zac. DH has his office, Zac has his room, safe outside area to play.
I'd figure what your max rent dollar is, and just look, there is no harm in that.
Also, we are not bad people because we rent and don't own.
And you're paying most of your utilities already, so while a bigger place might up those cost slightly it's not like it will be an added expense. FWIW, water is around $100-$150 every 3 months.
You really need to stay financially comfortable. That extra stress on top of twin newborns may be too much.
But also, I would be insanely cramped in a 2 bedroom. I would want to move now so you don't have to deal with moving with TWO newborns/babies and would just move with a toddler.
I would possibly look at a rent to own home. Or just rental homes. Do you have any multi family homes around you? Just a quick search online (http://greatcityrealestate.com/) looks like there are a lot in the 750 - 999 a month range.
Your relationship and family do not need the financial stress. But it also does not need the sardine cramped stress...
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Agreed.
I think this is another great question for Ranger too, if I am remembering my facts right, doesn't her family rent a smaller place too?
No basement or garage either.
But the shed does help.
Word.
I remember asking these ladies for similar advice. With just the two of us, and the dog, and all DH's clutter, at our last apartment (2 br 1 ba) we just felt tight. We weren't sure if we were ready to buy but we didn't want to move without it being a permanent move. On the flipside, we didn't really feel too ready for homeownership, especially once we got to researching how much homes cost.
I ended up getting a new job so we moved anyway, but we rented a 3 br 2 ba. We LOVE it! We no longer feel cramped, and when a baby finds it way into our lives we can easily manage. Yes, we're paying enough that it could be a mortgage payment. But we can move easily if a new job scenario pops up. We dont' have to worry about a leaky roof or a broken appliance. We dont' have to worry about our home value decreasing. If we lose a job, we can probably work with our leasing office easier than a mortgage company. To us, those benefits outweighed the advantage of paying what we're paying into a house. We're still saving up for a house someday, and we're not saving as much as we could if we were in a cheaper apartment, but that's okay with us personally. In the meantime, we're extremely comfortable where we're at, and we don't feel pressured to buy a house.
Good luck with your decision, obviously my recommendation is to move into the bigger apartment until you're really ready for a house.
I was thinking the same thing. we're in a 3 bedroom 1300 square feet and the rooms are definitely big enough.
I say wait the year. When are you due again? Feb/March? So next October they'll be 6 months old? Not even mobile, or just getting mobile.
Money trouble sucks and I'd take cramped space over no money any day.
Also, I know sq footage isn't everything (layout is key) but my house (two story house) is 3 BRs and only 1325 sq ft. We have one room (that makes up the 125 sq ft difference) which is the office/treadmill room that Janie doesn't go in. With a toddler and two babies it would be tight, yes. But, do-able until everyone was on the move, I think.
If moving and more space is your #1 priority I'd just try, as much as you can, to go into saving mode for the next year. Since you have your Mom to watch N, can you pick up some extra hours subbing or photographing? The girls will be like 5 months or so by start of school - can you look at getting something more permanent then (instead of subbing). I know you won't want to....but if it means getting the means to move your family to more space, maybe it's worth it?
Hang in there, lady.
ETA: Wanted to add, if you find a larger place for the same money, I say move!
Im with Amanda on this one. We just moved into a 3 br house this past summer & are renting it & we couldn't be happier with the decision for now. I'd live to own but we both really want to save a little bit more for a better down payment. This decisio gives us the space & privacy we were looking for- I feel less cramped & crazy & know we'll easily be happy here until it's time to buy. The added bonus of not having to worry about maintenance or yard work (landscaping & snow removal are both included in our lease) is great too, especially knowing we'll be that much busier come January! Id go with the month to month for now & keep your eyes out for other options.
ETA: sorry for the typos..., apparently my phone & I aren't friends today.
I wonder if some of the space is eaten up by stairs? But I am curious about the layout. My old house was 1040 sq feet with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, kitchen, DR and LR. None of the rooms were huge, but we definitely could have had a family of 5 in there if needed. Maybe Cassidy can help with layout issues to help you feel less cramped??
I do agree with Amanda that it can be worthwhile to check around for prices of rental homes. Keep in mind some of those you take over responsibility for things like appliances etc which can be added cost. GL!!
and Ranger was in a philly style condo with her BIL, but the owned it. family has since moved out and they have the whole house now
I would say don't move to the townhouse. That sounds like a lot of work, and you aren't getting what you want, another room.
If buying in a year is truly a possibility, stick it out a year if you can. Like Naylon said, if the babes aren't yet mobile it might not be as bad as you think, and you can save some money.
Personally, I would try to find an affordable 3 bedroom now. Your point about less things/people to move makes a lot of sense and you won't be cramped.
I wouldn't rush into buying a house. I'd wait until you are "back on your feet" again after the twins--meaning, when you figure out what your work/life situation is going to be like moving forward--before you figure out how much you can realistically afford and start house hunting. It would suck to buy a house now only to have things change after the twins and get yourselves into trouble financially.
I would, however, shop around for rentals. There are expensive rentals, and there are reasonable ones. Like Trickey said, they got lucky and found a 3-br house for very little more than what they were paying for a smaller place. I can't imagine trying to cram three kids into one bedroom, and wouldn't want to do that, either--so I feel ya. Our condo was 920 sq. ft., and we were literally busting at the seams in that place with one kid. We definitely could've stayed there if we had to, but we were just not happy.
Good luck!
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I wouldn't rush into buying a house. I think that being cramped for now is better than being stressed about finances. I do think you should take advantage of the month to month rent and then just shop around for a good deal on a new place. If you can find a 3 bedroom apartment or house to rent that is reasonable in price then you can go for it and turn in your notice to the current apartment.
How far are you willing to move? There are a couple of apartment complexes right by our development and since we are right on the line for Pickerington I am thinking that are Columbus addresses and maybe lower in price. I of course am blanking on the names of the places but I will take a look as I drive by them tonight.
First, INSANELY jealous at your COL. Our 2BR/2BA in DC was also about 1200SF and cost almost $1700 a month. If we had wanted a 3 bedroom in the same building, it would have been $2100 a month. And SFla isn't much cheaper!
Now, for your question. I agree with the other ladies about staying put. Try to optimize your space. How large are the bedrooms? Or is most of that 1200 SF living room/kitchen/dining room? I love storage planning.....can you link to a copy of your layout? My BF lives in a 2br/2ba that is 1250 SF with 3 kids under the age of 6. Also, it really doesn't make sense to buy not knowing what your work situation will be like. And it might not be possible. People with CSs of 750 and higher are being turned down for mortgages right now. I'd wait until next October and then move into a larger rental. Unless something happens and you can afford buying while keeping a big emergency fund.
Thanks ladies, you've made a lot of really good points.
Realistically, I agree with DH that we aren't ready to buy yet. I really think our best option is looking for a home/bigger apt to rent but he thinks that it's pointless because most of them in our price range are the same/less square feet. Evenso, IMO, the 3rd bedroom would help a ton.
Here is the layout of our apt, though it doesn't give room sizes.
Without furniture and toys, it seems huge! But, it really isn't.
Famousamos, I'd love it if you'd let me know the names of those areas...
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Totally agree here. Don't rush into buying a house. I feel like so many people do, but really, there is nothing wrong with renting!
And ditto others, keep shopping around for other rentals for the time being too. It's nice that you have the luxury to move any time.
Claire Elizabeth 12/31/2011
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I agree with what every had to say and will add that I have a friend who has a 3 year old and 1 year old twins and they live in a 2 BR condo (one floor) and they have survived for the past year with all 3 kids. It can be done and if you are not in the best financial position I would just stick it out where you are. Yes it is cramped, and obviously not ideal, but its very nice and cozy and the kids have no problems. All 3 also share a room. And majority of the time I was jealous of her one floor living because I have to lug the babies and Abby up and down stairs!!
DH and I both work and couldn't imagine buying a house right now. We lucked into our current living situation. Up until 2 months before the babies were due we lived upstairs in a tiny 2 br apt. The living and dining room were both sorta closed off rooms so basically we had just the living room! Anyway BIL moved out and we converted the 2 family house to one family so now we have 4 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a den upstairs, and then downstairs we have an office, playroom, living and dining room and kitchen. If they hadn't moved out we would have had no choice but to have us all squished upstairs because we were in no position to afford anything else! We would have had the babies in our room for as long as possible, and then just had them share a room with Abby. You do what you gotta do with what you have!
Plus with twins there are tons of expenses. Like we spend a fortune on pedi visits... its twice the co-pays and when one gets sick, the other two kids get sick too!!! Clothes... we go through clothes like crazy! Our electricity and water have gone up because we do more laundry. LOL All these little things you never think of add up, so I wouldn't really put yourself in a position where you need to spend more a month than you already are!
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Looking at the floor plan, you seem to have a lot of wasted space. Is the utility closet laid out to allow for storage? IE....bins of toys that you can put away when not being used?
What about placing dressers in the closets so you can have cribs/bassinets in the bedroom? Are the bedrooms really both about the same size, or does it just appear that way on the drawing? Because if it is as big as it looks, you should be able to fit 3 cribs and a changing table. However, dresser(s) would have to go into the closet and a rocker/glider would fit.
Will your family allow you to store some things at one of their homes (if more spacious)? You know the things you really WANT to keep but just don't have space for (wedding dress, childhood memorabilia, Nolan's outgrown clothing). If you PM or FB me your zipcode, I'll happily look for apartments for you. Its one of my guilty pleasures.