Small house with pre teen and toddler

[Imtootired]

I am a single mum. I have a 12 year old and a two year old, both boys. I am now in a position to get a mortgage but on the lowest end of the scale. I saw a nice place today but it is fairly small. There is one living area and ok sized bedrooms and a tiny kitchen. There are nice outdoor areas back and front. I could possibly get something bigger but it would be in a worse condition. I don’t have the time or money to change much so we would be living in whatever we bought as is. Our current place is a bit smaller and I’m feeling so stressed and caged in, but there is a lot of baby/toddler equipment we won’t need for much longer. Ideally I would love a place with a seperate kitchen area that would also fit a dining room and possibly a second living area for my older son when he is a teenager. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience of sharing a small space with a teen boy. We would always have to watch the same shows etc. Does anyone think this situation would be ok or should I wait for something bigger? I’m in Australia btw

@QuizzicalEyebrows
Why do you think the bedroom doesn’t have a window?

I would consider either having my work space in my room if I had the larger room, or giving the teen the larger bedroom

Yes that is a good idea about having a work space in my room for some of the time. That was a very interesting idea about giving my older son the bigger room, I’m sure he would love that but at the moment I don’t know if I could bring myself to do that. My 12 year old has gotten very excited about this but he’s found a 2 storey place with 4 bedrooms. It is nice and possibly in our price range because of the area but I’m not sure if it would keep its value or be too much upkeep

Going too big then unaffordable upkeep is a good point.

That living room looks spacious enough that with clever furniture you could do a nice dining nook ie dining sofa/ bench with table and chairs so it’s a comfy area for work, homework or toddler drawing, as well as meal. Plus have seating area and space for toddler to play.

Low bed better in small room for teens as then friends can come around and sit on it, high up not possible. So low bed with drawers storage under, small desk and maybe armchair in teen room, gives him a place to socialise if needed. Tablet to watch films on if he wants space from toddler.

In a small house it’s just about talking and sharing plans to give each other space. If eldest is say 15 years and asks if he can have friends over one Saturday afternoon for pizza and film, then as long as you have notice, you could arrange take younger out somewhere for a few hours.

I don’t know where you live in Australia, but I’m guessing weather generally nicer that uk a lot of the time. So make use of those outdoor spaces you have as well as you can use a lot of the year with decent furniture and shade

It doesn't look that small to me. However, I would be tempted to get something a little bigger that's a do-er upper. Inconvenient in the short term, better in the longer term space wise and possibly investment wise.

a soon to be teenager and a toddler sounds horrible/rough enough as it is lets be honest

So id definitely wait for something bigger

when I was younger I had an Australian cousimilarly a coin live with me for a few months, and later a friend from New Zealand - both were generally shocked by the size of flats in the UK. - I had a one bedroom flat that was a good size for one person, so both stays were a bit of a strain.
Similarly a former colleague moved to australia, initially to stay with relatives but decided to stay and was delighted to sell her London studio flat & afford a three bedroomed house with a large garden in Adelaide.
Given that the majority of posters here are in the UK, replies may be a bit skewed.

whoops - typo - cursor jumped about a bit!
I had an Australian cousin live with me

No coins!

Yes I realised that houses are smaller in the UK, I do have family there so it is a bit different. I don’t want it to come off as bragging like saying oh no I can’t afford a holiday in a palace so I’ll have to stay in a mansion instead. Trust me the area we are looking in isn’t fancy at all but not far from the city and plenty of facilities so it’s fine. As long as we have quiet neighbors I’m happy, but the local shops definitely have some characters. The two storey might be better but I’ll have to be careful of my little one on the stairs and it’s not as nice in some ways. Plus more space for junk to build up. Most of it is old and I think the second storey bedroom is an extension. That’s what my son has his eye on. This is the top bedroom in the other. Looks good for a teen

I mean it’s pretty normal to have to watch your kids by stairs. I get that is Aus though a lot are single level properties.

Honestly the four bed is likely the better option. A bedroom each and an actual office for you for working from home.

If the only thing on the second floor one bedroom? If so just one simple stair gate and he technically has no reason to go up there anyway.

Yes there could be more space for clutter but if you are the type of person to collect crap/clutter it doesn’t matter how big or small your house is you will keep doing it. Do you parts but by bit to your taste as abs when you can afford it. As long as the structure is sound, working electrics/gas safe kitchen bathroom etc you’ll be fine and likely much happier not having your office in your livingroom.

If enough outside space, a summer house is good to invest in down the line. We bought one and had electrics put in it so can have a heater on, lighting and TV. Cost about £3000 with electrics. Ideal for a teenager if wants own space.

I think stairs are normal for a 2+ year old to get used to. They won’t be 2 forever

Where I live most houses are basically built into the hillside, so the bottom floor small as basically main hillside, gradually widening as you go up the house. So 3-4 stories high. Ds is 1 1/2 and races around the house already! Obviously we keep and eye on him, but he’s pretty steady, and I imagine will be fine alone next year.

The summer house is a good suggestion. The places I’m looking at are on half a big block so not huge gardens. Most places in the area I’m renting are divided in 3 so tiny little places with only a little courtyard. The area I’m thinking of buying in is nearby and has a mix of whole blocks, half blocks and some lots of three. A whole block is better for down the line for resale value but I’m also thinking about where we will actually live for the next 5-10 years and I need a house that’s in fairly good condition.
I am very bad with clutter and buying too much and not throwing things away. I really want to get a handle on it so I might start on some sort of regime.
Yes I know kids do get used to stairs but it does make me nervous. My little one fell down a few out the front of my mums place the other day because he wasn’t paying attention. The houses built into the hills sound very interesting!
I’ll go see the two storey house tomorrow. I have no idea what it will be like and if it is only the one room added onto the top.

I am a single parent of three who lives in inner Sydney. We feel very lucky to be able to afford a house in the very expensive housing market here.
We have a much smaller house than the one you are looking at and we manage. We use our courtyard which has an outdoor couch and front veranda which has a little three piece setting when kids have friends over. Or they just sit in their bedrooms. In the smallest room I have a bed with drawers under it and a nice clothes rail. It also fits a desk.
They don't use TVs they just watch stuff on their laptops and phones. If your son is a gamer he will just need a desktop computer and can watch TV in that.
Stuff gets smaller as they get older so gradually all the big toys and equipment will be gone. I have girls though so they just have clothes, makeup and art supplies.
I maximise storage in all furniture, all beds have storage, even the couch has storage and I really think before I buy stuff for the house.
I work from home occasionally and I move around the house throughout the day, when they are at school I work in the lounge room or courtyard, later in the day I will move to the bedroom or veranda.
I would advise as a single parent not having a big block as when I did I found the maintenance too difficult. I just took them to the park when they needed to let off steam.