How Many Square Feet Do I Really Need?
The question varies by need. Not only would everyone have a different answer, but every person's square footage needs change over time.
Growing up in college, some college kids can hack a walk-in closet and bathroom of 80 square foot while utilizing fast food and no need for a kitchen.
Graduating from college and getting married, they'll want room for two. So they might get a 1 bedroom apartment 500-700 square feet in size.
Then they have a child and they need to upsize to a two bedroom 700-900 square feet.
Then say the husband wants a home office, 900-1100 square feet.
Then they want two more kids 1100-2500 square feet.
Then the kids move out and they want to downsize... so they move back down the ladder.
With this being the way things work, it is important to consider what your future plans and goals are. For instance, if you are engaged to be married in one year, then buying a one bedroom will be soon outgrown if you plan on having kids in the near future.
By listing your goals down on a sheet of paper, you'll have a better idea of what your near future needs will be.
On another note, say you can't move, because you're upside down in a house, or you really love the location... If you're needing more space, but moving is not an option, a solution could be to get rid of any excess furniture and belongings. Oftentimes people accumulate so many items that they simply cannot manage what they have. We really can live on much less than we have. For some of us, this may be the answer we've been waiting for.
