The grass is always greener...or is it...maybe?

2 bedrooms. 3 closets. And estimated 750 square feet. 3 kids under 5. 2 adults. 1 set of bunkbeds. 2 cribs. 1 queen. 1 glorified patio we call "front yard". It's a small space for a, relatively speaking, not-so-small family. So what do we do? We dream of what we call a house.

Sometimes I think I get caught up in the grass is always greener trap. My kids would be less irritating if we had a yard. The kitchen would be cleaner more often if we had a dishwasher. Saturdays would be less busy if we had a washer and dryer. The baby would sleep through the night if she had her own room.

But let's face it. A house simply can't solve all my woes. (Although just one of the above would be nice, right!?)Other people who have houses also have problems. My sister, living comfortably in a home in AZ called tonight. Her kids were hassling her and she was struggling with them just as she was trying to say her first "hello" to me. She was "laughing," and knowing my state here in NYC said, "Oh Katie, all this and we have a yard." Like, look at me, I've got it all and I'm still going batty!

I do honestly think there are some advantages to living in a little place--

1 bathroom, 1 mirror--come on! When we get around to it...cleaning is a snap!
Kids are never too far--easier to keep an eye and ear on.
Mopping and vacuuming is easy compared to the square footage of a house.
Free maintainance of the larger type problems thanks the the landlord.
4 loads of laundry at a laundromat all at once takes the time of one load in one at-home washer/dryer.
We keep organized--junk is out--no room for it.
Learning to live with less can't be bad for us or our kids--we don't have room for excessive bikes or large toys.
We are forced to go to the park, and thus, don't isolate ourselves in our home/yard.

I do also honestly think there must be advantages to living in a larger house--

Kids can play outside while I make dinner.
Space can reduce stress simply by spreading people (noise) out a little.
It's easier to visit people when you have a quiet street or driveway to park in. Packed street-parking is so uninviting.
Kids can play in the sprinkler all summer long--we don't have to go to the park for access to water.
Decorating the house is easier and more exciting since it's really yours.
A third room could help with issues of kids waking each other up.
A more spacious family or play room would help get energy out when winter keeps us in.

I guess as I've been contemplating all this lately, I'm realizing that I can have it good where ever I am. If I take care of my little plot of land here, my family can be happy. If I take advantage and appreciate all the benefits of living in a small space I can love it more and miss it when I'm gone. If I move into a bigger house I can really appreciate its luxuries but not go expecting 314 Bighouse Drive to solve all my daily struggles.

I would be curious to hear what you all have learned living in a small space or living in a larger space. Who has gone from one to the other, what have you learned? What are your favorites about living in a house--things I can realistically look forward to? What are ways you've found to make apartment living fun and more doable?

Thanks for reading my thoughts, I look forward to reading yours.