I ask because I'm thinking about moving into one later this year.

How much square footage is enough? I don't have that much stuff, but don't want to live in something that cramped.

Anything I should look out for?

Thanks home skillets.

 

If you don't have much stuff and you want something relatively small, I would think 500-600 sqft would be more than ample space for a studio apmt.


At least for me it would be.

 

My house is 1500sq/ft and sometimes it feels small
I really have no idea how someone can live in a studio apartment

 

Yikes, I couldn't do it.

 

I was married and we had a 1 bedroom condo that was 460sf. I would try to stretch the budget or look harder for 1 bedroom. A studio does not give you separate space for yourself.

Have you tried Craigslist?

 

If you live by yourself, don't have much stuff....

Why waste money on a huge place?

That's what I've been considering for when I move to the DFW area. Not necessarily a studio, but something small. If I get much more than 700 or 750 sq ft, I seriously won't have anything to fill the space. 550-600 would be perfect. I would rather it be more full and 'cozy' I guess you could say....

....not cramped, just where all by belongings (and me ) comfortably fit. I honestly would prefer a somewhat smaller space.

 

In Southern California you don't have much of a choice.

 

I've done it before; two years ago when I first started grad school. It was ok for me since I was rarely home that first year. I think it was a 550 sq foot studio, maybe slightly larger. And since I was always either in class, studying at the library, or at the gym from 8AM to 9PM it didn't really bother me since I only went home to sleep.

But after the first year grind of grad school was over, I realized I had a lot more time to spend at home and it just started to feel cramped.

Plus I added a female bed buddy at the end of that first year (who was always spending nights over) and well... then it was definitely too cramped. I moved out into a slightly larger 1 bedroom thats about 700 sq feet before the start of second year, and its been a huge improvement. Personally, I like having a seperate bedroom/living room.

 

The studios in my building are 450 sq feet and the layout pretty much sucks. the kitchen is right int he middle of the whole area so it eats up "usable" space. How would you like your bed close to the stove. My buddy has a studio which is roughly 750 sq feet and his kitchen is a seperate room as big as the whole living area. I wouldnt of realized it was a studi but the bed in the living room gave it away .

I think you would want a minimum 550 sq feet, but remember, all studios are created differently so go check them all out. Like i said, layouts are important and can change the whole feel of the apt.

 

My 1st apt was a 450sq foot studio. It was basically a big square room. Living room, then a step, then the kitchen. Bathroom was on the side. It served it's purpose. Single, always out, didn't have much stuff either. I was there for 3 years.

 

it is pretty easy to create space and a sense of separation if you don't have too much stuff. i avoided using false barriers, those look like shit.

 

I've lived in a studio. Not that bad at all. Don't remember how big it was, but it was tiny as hell though.

 

Yes you do.

 

I had one in Virginia. Just a touch over 550 sq feet

I was almost never in it, it was basically a cheap storage solution for my gear plus a bed.

 

Not if you can't afford to spend more then $1000 a month


I don't like roommates either.

 

Damn, you are a baller amis...

 

It's a great start if you can't afford a 1 bedroom...

This is the floor plan I'm currently renting... 400 sq. ft.



They are great if you live by yourself and don't want roommates but if you have a family like me, it sucks... too small... but i'm not willing (can't) to pay more then $900/mo. That's crazy... Right now rent isn't below $900 in this area of California... but what can I do besides wait and save money... upgrade slowly...

with everyone... look for something 500+ sq. ft.

 

When I first moved to the DC area, I got a 700+ sq ft. studio apartment. Honestly, I never felt like I had enough stuff to fill the place. It was nice to have the enormous closet and the floorspace, but there were definitely days when I felt like it was too much space since I didn't really have that much stuff.

So if you have a lot of stuff, lots of space is great. Otherwise, something in the 500-600 sq. ft. range should be sufficient.

 

I live in a studio that's 650-680ish square feet with heat, water, and cable (who knew anyplace included cable?) and it's doable. Had a one bedroom before, but kinda like this place more due to the layout. It's not like a giant box like most studios, everything is tucked into nooks and the bathroom is thru a huge walk-in closet that doubles as a changing room.

If you don't have a lot of stuff and don't plan on accumulating more stuff go with a studio and save your money for awhile. Just try to imagine how big furniture like you bed, sofa, couch, dinner table, ect will fit in the place when you start looking.

 

Maybe I should knock up some older VP

 

And thanks guys.

I couldn't imagine 400 sq. ft.

I think 600 would work well with a smart layout.

 

Couldn't hurt...

 

I lived alone in a 600 sq ft. studio during my first 2 years out of college. It was fine with me because I didn't have much stuff and I was always out.

The layout was open so I only had a small dining set in the middle of the place to separate the kitchen on the north side from the bedroom area. The tv was at the foot of my bed so my bed also served as my couch. The closet was small and almost didn't fit all my clothes back then. Fortunately, I got the corner studio on the topmost floor which provided great views and compensated for the lack of space.

 

back when i first joined Acurazine i was in a Studio. if you are living alone its great. i had a center divider just in case you had somebody staying over or so. i think it was 592 sq ft. it wasn't that bad but it was in Santa Ana.

 

I lived in a studio apt for three years in the late '80s- it was about 400 sq. feet not including the kitchenette, closet and bathroom, @ 500+ total. It was fine for a single person without lots of tool chests or other bric-a-brac that would be placed in a garage. Enough room to hang a bike from the ceiling or place it on the balcony, too.

 

Right now, my roommate and I live in a studio here in Boston. Yeah, it's small but the two of us make it work. We have a lot of stuff but you find ways to make it all work and make it feel like home.

If it's going to save you a decent chunk of change in the long run, I would do it!

 

If you can grin and bear it. Save you lots in the end.
That's why I'm sort of considering one when I go up to college. I don't expect to be there often anyways.

 

my sister lived in a studio in manhattan. it was probably about 500sq feet. but because of the layout, it was a lot more spacious that i imagined. she had lots of closet space too, and that helped make the place less cluttered.

 

My first pad was a 450 sq ft studio, with a bed that turned into a couch. Kinda. It worked cause I was young, single and had nothing to my name except a bike and a frying pan and a portable boombox. Those were the days...

 

I lived in a 600 sq. ft. 1 bedroom apartment for a year in Oakland and it was alright. It was very easy to clean. I had at most 5 people over and only then did it really feel cramped.

Now, I live in a 1,100 sq. ft. 2 bedroom duplex in San Jose and I absolutely love the space. I'd say that about 1,000 sq. ft. is perfect for me. The only downside is that cleaning takes about twice as long. lol

 

Studios aren't bad once you get used to them. I actually had a real place 1200 sq ft or so and ended up moving in with my gf at the time while she was at school. The studio was UNDER 400 sq ft and I felt super cramped at first but over time i got used to it. On one wall there was a closet with a built in desk next to it, dresser with counter next to that and then another closet. There was a small bathroom, bar sink, and fridge. We added a queen bed, hot plate to cook on, and some some chairs to work at. TV was mounted to the wall and the whole place just worked. Oh i forgot to mention she had a 10 pound dog and a cat haha

I never understood why she picked that place, her parents would have paid for whatever she wanted but she liked how small this was and it was close to campus. Oh it was not cheap which i never understood