Living in a condo with kids

[April411]

Hi everyone,
Dh and I have recently started thinking about purchasing a home, the problem is we live in a pretty high col area. I doubt that we could afford a single family home in a decent neighborhood . We don't want to spend more than 200k. I have told dh that maybe we should consider a condo. He says that condos are not for people with kids (We have a 4yr old dd and are ttc). I think that right now a condo is the only thing we could afford but I'm also concerned about dd making too much noise and also having a crying baby bugging the neighbors. I don't want to fight with anybody about my children making too much noise. I just don't know what we should do. We've been living in a 1 bed (400 sq. ft.)garage apartment since dd was born and are bursting at the seams. I'm ready to get out of here. Do any of you have experience living in a condo with kids? What was your experience like?

[sugarlumpkin]

I have lived in a condo (not with kids) and in many an apartment complex (not with kids, but around them). I think that when you go shopping for a condo, you can make sure to ask about what has been done about noise reduction between units during construction. We live in a townhouse now and although the neighbors drive us crazy with their behavior outside, we really can't hear anything that goes on inside their house! I think it is because of the concrete wall between the units. I think you can condo-shop as long as you are aware of asking about that particular issue!

[WC_hapamama]

I've lived in a condo with kids for the past 11 1/2 years. It's not a big deal. It's home.

[Ola_]

We lived in an apartment building with poured concrete walls between the units and as a PP said you couldn't hear anything through the walls. We could hear stuff outside and in the hallway though (very loose mail slot in the door). I think that would definitely help.

How would you feel about renting a larger place than you have now? You could rent an apt. and see how that goes (sort of a trial-run of condo living). Not sure what rental vs. buying costs are in your area so that may make a difference.

[Kyamo]

We have a condo townhouse, and plan to have kids in it. It cost just over $200k. We do hear the odd thing from the other houses, but not much. Usually only if they are in the room right on the other side of the wall from the room we are in, and only really loud stuff. Make sure you pay attention to the condo fees when condo shopping. There's a REALLY big range.

[April411]

How would you feel about renting a larger place than you have now? You could rent an apt. and see how that goes (sort of a trial-run of condo living). Not sure what rental vs. buying costs are in your area so that may make a difference.

That's probably what we will end up doing before we buy. DH doesn't like the idea of "throwing away" money on rent and thinks we should stay in this tiny place for a while to save up $$. I think renting a bigger place for a while might give us an idea of whether we can realistically afford the mortgage and how if we might like living in a condo.

[Vancouver Mommy]

We've lived in a 1,000 sq foot 2 br/ 2 ba condo for the past 6.5 years. We don't have a backyard, but there is a playground across the street. We're close to everything and on a major bus route. I would take this lifestyle over a house in the burbs anyday!

[Llyra]

We live in a townhouse complex; we rent, not own, but it's just like condos. Anyway, like the PPs said, you'll want to ask about what's been done to deal with noise reduction between walls. Here, the only time we hear anything is when the neighbors' kids pump up their stereo, and then it's just this low hum that you can barely hear. I used to worry a lot when DS was a newborn, because he was colicky and his cry was LOUD. But it really is just fine, and a few months later my neighbor had a baby too, so it all evened out. It takes an adjustment, if you're used to single-home living. But I've always lived in connected housing, literally my entire life, so I'm used to living closer to the neighbors.

Look for a complex where there are a lot of other babies and children. Your neighbors will be more understanding about your kids, and your kids will be glad to have so many potential friends nearby.

[Rosehip]

Where I live apt and row house living is VERY common, and all kinds of people and families live in them. It's hard for me to imagine a place where it's weird or inappropriate. I would check out various complexes and see if there are some that have families. Not that it's necessary, but living in a complex w/kids is GREAT. People are used to kids (cuts down on complaints) and your kids have playmates.