I don't know about you but my apartment comes with amenities like a pool, gym, spa, park, etc. Do you make use of those? It's nice having maintenance take care of things that I would have to take care of and pay for myself if I had a house. Also smaller apartment/condo is typically less to clean than a house š¤·š»āāļø
We donāt have any pool or gym amenities but we have a nice cul de sac in the middle of the four buildings. We play there often and watch the ducks and bunnies and other animals that come visit the fountains and climb the trees etc. it is nice knowing that we donāt have to do the lawn work or the gardening
This is a wonderful luxury. I would suggest spending some time outside, maybe in the morning with coffee? I think taking a little while before the rest of the world wakes up. This special time of day is golden, you can enjoy the sunrise and enjoy a peaceful break before starting on the day. I think it's wonderful to start the day with a tranquil little bit of time. The rest of the day should feel so much easier to get things done after having a quiet bit of time to before digging into the day.
I think because you work from home, you feel it's like a cage. Can you get outside at lunch? Before work? Even a drive if the weather's not good enough for a walk. If you can't get out, watch some nature shows to get that feeling.
Since you're not moving out any time soon, think of this as your home and make it such. What's not making it feel like a home? And don't say, it's not a home. Put a positive spin on it and decide what it needs to feel homey.
I totally get where youāre coming from, and while Iām grateful to have a place to live (especially in a HCOL area), working from home with my partner makes it feel like weāre living in a cage with each other, and much like a zoo animal, I need some enrichment from time to time lol.
I take a lot of walks and try to get out whenever I can; Iām sure itās more challenging with a little one, but even going out for coffee or something gives me something to look forward to. Low-cost changes to your home (add some plants, maybe a new piece of art on the wall) helps, perhaps growing herbs or some other small thing on your porch? I wish you luck in making things feel less stifling :)
My little coffee breaks at lunch are what keep me going! I walk to a coffee shop a block away and just sit and relax with a drink. We do have a park just across the street but with a 4 year old sometimes the effort to get there is immense and then getting back is another story. Life was simpler when it was all just outside our door and no travel required.
But yes these little moments are gratitude for sure.
I was trapped in a decent sized suburban house with nasty parents for yeaaaaaaaaaaars. Over 55 years. Now I have a small apartment but itās mine. Your space, your choices. That part is wonderful.
I had the same experience and am trying to work through the same feelings.
Being thankful doesnāt change my feelings, it just makes me feel guilty for having them.
So I think itās just better to be realistic - you canāt feel as good there so you have to find different good from the parts you like.
Keep your thoughts fluid and remember that a lot of days the difference wonāt even be a thought.
It is such a hard adjustment after living in a house.
Please donāt feel guilty - your feelings are valid and all situations are relative.
(Donāt tell the gratitude police, though, they really just want everyone to shut up about everything)
Go check out urbancarliving (not linking).
Make a list of 5 things that you're grateful for about your place now.
Perspective changes when we look at things differently. š«¶š
Thereās a 325sq ft apartment going for $2000/mo across the street from me. I understand you used to have a big space, but be appreciative of what you do have. Go outside, go on walks, enjoy your balcony. Many people have much less than what you consider a cage.
I don't remember the sq footage of my new home but even I just can't believe how much space we have. I am not used to this even though I have lived here for a year now. I have so much to be grateful for. I go for walks all the time. have my back yard with my dog. grandkids come to spend the night.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm super grateful to have what I have. I'm able to live alone with my little dog. I don't have any utility costs beyond internet. I live in a vibrant area, a park across the street, easily access to wherever I need to go, plenty to eat, in fact I'm too fat, running car, reliable income, great medical providers, great friends. I'm super blessed even though I don't have a lot of floor space. Or any really, ha, can't even do yoga indoors.
Well Iām definitely not trying to be condescending. I fully acknowledge that Iām privileged, for sure. I posted this because I want to change my mind about how I view my living situation and I donāt want to come across as entitled or ignorant anymore.
I feel you. But nowā¦ the whole town is your home. Go to the library, go to a new restaurant, go to the lake. Find places that feel like home outside your spot. Make yourself get out there. Many are feeling this way living in apartments, youāre not alone!
The American dream of the house in the suburbs became a reality for so many people post-war. This has turned out to be an unsustainable both financially and enviornmentally. I love apartment living and know that when the dishwasher breaks it is not my responsibility to repair it. I like to think of them as modern day pueblos or cliff houses. We are in a top floor apartment we a view that houses rarely have.
I have a very active 2.5 year old and we're in a slightly bigger apartment (1100 sqft) and I feel similar to you, but mainly in the summer. I don't really feel like we need a ton more space, although a third bedroom and another bathroom would be nice. But on days where it seems to take a lot of effort to get out the door, especially when it's hot outside, I wish we had a yard to plop a little kiddie pool and a sprinkler in and just hang out outside.
The upside is, I have less rooms to child proof, it's easy to keep an eye on my young kid, and I feel like because we live in a smaller space we get out of the house and do fun stuff a lot more than we would have if we lived in a big house with a yard of our own. We go to the pool, the zoo, the library, different parks etc a lot more than I remember doing as a kid and I love that we get that experience as a family, even if it is more effort and certainly more tiring.
This probably won't help but there are people in NYC paying $4000 a month for an apartment the size of a walk in closet and in some cases there is no kitchen and no bathroom! The bathroom is a shared bathroom with all tenants on the same floor
I wish that I was kidding!
My first apartment in Manhattan was a fifth floor walkup with h the shower between the refrigerator and stove. And the bathroom didnāt have a sinkājust enough room for a toilet.
Housing is ridiculous these days isnāt it?! I saw a parody account on insta of some computer generated person renovating their small space but itās not so far fetched from reality!
Yup. I'm in a 700 sq ft on my own. All the units in my particular building in the complex are 1 bed 1 bath. The lady above me has a toddler and her mother in the same apartment I live in. I feel so blessed with my space.
You work from home and own your own condo - thoughts and prayers. I'm in a "luxury" apt for $3300 a month can never find parking and I commute an hour each way to work to a job that's 4.6 miles away due to traffic. You need gratitude journal.
I used to own a condo but it became so expensive. During the 10 years that I lived in the condo, I had to replace the heat and air, the hot water tank, all of the faucets, and I also had to take care of a wooden deck. Not to mention, I had a monthly HOA fee and a small backyard that I had to pay someone to mow. It just got to be so expensive and then I decided to relocate to a different state to live closer to my son. I sold the condo and I have lived in an apartment ever since. There are some days that I do miss owning, but I certainly do not miss the fees and the upkeep. Itās nice to be able to just pick up a phone whenever something breaks.
Hey, at least you don't have to do yard work anymore!
I don't know about you but my apartment comes with amenities like a pool, gym, spa, park, etc. Do you make use of those? It's nice having maintenance take care of things that I would have to take care of and pay for myself if I had a house. Also smaller apartment/condo is typically less to clean than a house š¤·š»āāļø
We donāt have any pool or gym amenities but we have a nice cul de sac in the middle of the four buildings. We play there often and watch the ducks and bunnies and other animals that come visit the fountains and climb the trees etc. it is nice knowing that we donāt have to do the lawn work or the gardening
This is a wonderful luxury. I would suggest spending some time outside, maybe in the morning with coffee? I think taking a little while before the rest of the world wakes up. This special time of day is golden, you can enjoy the sunrise and enjoy a peaceful break before starting on the day. I think it's wonderful to start the day with a tranquil little bit of time. The rest of the day should feel so much easier to get things done after having a quiet bit of time to before digging into the day.
Take walks in the neighbor, for that is something great to do and you will meet other people around your area. And great exercise as well.
I think because you work from home, you feel it's like a cage. Can you get outside at lunch? Before work? Even a drive if the weather's not good enough for a walk. If you can't get out, watch some nature shows to get that feeling. Since you're not moving out any time soon, think of this as your home and make it such. What's not making it feel like a home? And don't say, it's not a home. Put a positive spin on it and decide what it needs to feel homey.
I totally get where youāre coming from, and while Iām grateful to have a place to live (especially in a HCOL area), working from home with my partner makes it feel like weāre living in a cage with each other, and much like a zoo animal, I need some enrichment from time to time lol. I take a lot of walks and try to get out whenever I can; Iām sure itās more challenging with a little one, but even going out for coffee or something gives me something to look forward to. Low-cost changes to your home (add some plants, maybe a new piece of art on the wall) helps, perhaps growing herbs or some other small thing on your porch? I wish you luck in making things feel less stifling :)
My little coffee breaks at lunch are what keep me going! I walk to a coffee shop a block away and just sit and relax with a drink. We do have a park just across the street but with a 4 year old sometimes the effort to get there is immense and then getting back is another story. Life was simpler when it was all just outside our door and no travel required. But yes these little moments are gratitude for sure.
Walk father than a block. You need to walk at least 2 miles or more to get a good walk workout.
I was trapped in a decent sized suburban house with nasty parents for yeaaaaaaaaaaars. Over 55 years. Now I have a small apartment but itās mine. Your space, your choices. That part is wonderful.
I had the same experience and am trying to work through the same feelings. Being thankful doesnāt change my feelings, it just makes me feel guilty for having them. So I think itās just better to be realistic - you canāt feel as good there so you have to find different good from the parts you like. Keep your thoughts fluid and remember that a lot of days the difference wonāt even be a thought.
Thank you for your real reply. Iāve been getting a ton of down votes from ppl but itās making me feel even more guilty
It is such a hard adjustment after living in a house. Please donāt feel guilty - your feelings are valid and all situations are relative. (Donāt tell the gratitude police, though, they really just want everyone to shut up about everything)
Thank you šš» ā¤ļø ya pretty tough crowd on Reddit. Everyone is so literal
Be grateful that you are living within your budget and setting a good example for your children that money doesnāt buy happiness.
Go check out urbancarliving (not linking). Make a list of 5 things that you're grateful for about your place now. Perspective changes when we look at things differently. š«¶š
Thereās a 325sq ft apartment going for $2000/mo across the street from me. I understand you used to have a big space, but be appreciative of what you do have. Go outside, go on walks, enjoy your balcony. Many people have much less than what you consider a cage.
I live in a 350 sq ft one bedroom. What 900 sq ft must feel like, so roomy! With a balcony!? Heaven.
I don't remember the sq footage of my new home but even I just can't believe how much space we have. I am not used to this even though I have lived here for a year now. I have so much to be grateful for. I go for walks all the time. have my back yard with my dog. grandkids come to spend the night.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm super grateful to have what I have. I'm able to live alone with my little dog. I don't have any utility costs beyond internet. I live in a vibrant area, a park across the street, easily access to wherever I need to go, plenty to eat, in fact I'm too fat, running car, reliable income, great medical providers, great friends. I'm super blessed even though I don't have a lot of floor space. Or any really, ha, can't even do yoga indoors.
Well Iām definitely not trying to be condescending. I fully acknowledge that Iām privileged, for sure. I posted this because I want to change my mind about how I view my living situation and I donāt want to come across as entitled or ignorant anymore.
I feel you. But nowā¦ the whole town is your home. Go to the library, go to a new restaurant, go to the lake. Find places that feel like home outside your spot. Make yourself get out there. Many are feeling this way living in apartments, youāre not alone!
The American dream of the house in the suburbs became a reality for so many people post-war. This has turned out to be an unsustainable both financially and enviornmentally. I love apartment living and know that when the dishwasher breaks it is not my responsibility to repair it. I like to think of them as modern day pueblos or cliff houses. We are in a top floor apartment we a view that houses rarely have.
I have a very active 2.5 year old and we're in a slightly bigger apartment (1100 sqft) and I feel similar to you, but mainly in the summer. I don't really feel like we need a ton more space, although a third bedroom and another bathroom would be nice. But on days where it seems to take a lot of effort to get out the door, especially when it's hot outside, I wish we had a yard to plop a little kiddie pool and a sprinkler in and just hang out outside. The upside is, I have less rooms to child proof, it's easy to keep an eye on my young kid, and I feel like because we live in a smaller space we get out of the house and do fun stuff a lot more than we would have if we lived in a big house with a yard of our own. We go to the pool, the zoo, the library, different parks etc a lot more than I remember doing as a kid and I love that we get that experience as a family, even if it is more effort and certainly more tiring.
Not having to mow or do yard work makes me happy š
This probably won't help but there are people in NYC paying $4000 a month for an apartment the size of a walk in closet and in some cases there is no kitchen and no bathroom! The bathroom is a shared bathroom with all tenants on the same floor I wish that I was kidding!
My first apartment in Manhattan was a fifth floor walkup with h the shower between the refrigerator and stove. And the bathroom didnāt have a sinkājust enough room for a toilet.
Did you have a hot pipe giving off tons of heat?
Housing is ridiculous these days isnāt it?! I saw a parody account on insta of some computer generated person renovating their small space but itās not so far fetched from reality!
It could be worse, you could be homeless.
Or even living in a one bedroom apartment like I see family's in my apartment complex.
Yup. I'm in a 700 sq ft on my own. All the units in my particular building in the complex are 1 bed 1 bath. The lady above me has a toddler and her mother in the same apartment I live in. I feel so blessed with my space.
Do you have a nearby local park? See what's in your community. On your breaks you can take walks around the neighborhood.
r/simpleliving
You work from home and own your own condo - thoughts and prayers. I'm in a "luxury" apt for $3300 a month can never find parking and I commute an hour each way to work to a job that's 4.6 miles away due to traffic. You need gratitude journal.
I used to own a condo but it became so expensive. During the 10 years that I lived in the condo, I had to replace the heat and air, the hot water tank, all of the faucets, and I also had to take care of a wooden deck. Not to mention, I had a monthly HOA fee and a small backyard that I had to pay someone to mow. It just got to be so expensive and then I decided to relocate to a different state to live closer to my son. I sold the condo and I have lived in an apartment ever since. There are some days that I do miss owning, but I certainly do not miss the fees and the upkeep. Itās nice to be able to just pick up a phone whenever something breaks.