wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

we are moving in about 6 weeks or so. brand new building. we have a ground floor apt- its 3 bedroom, with an open LR/DR/kitch area, with a basement room and bathroom.. I was planning to use the basement as playroom. The upstairs living area is not so big, but the best we were able to find.
anyhow, we just spoke to developer, he offered if we want he would give us the apt next door- it only 2 bedrooms upstairs, BUT another 2 bedrooms downs stairs, and hte play area is at least double- hes acutally going to give us hte sueprs apt downstairs, whichhe is not using (he'd knock down the wall, combine our basement with supers whole apt). so i'd have a lot more space, but layout is weird, with only 2 bedrooms upstair. only want another $150 or so a month for that.
BUT- my kids are almost 4, almost 2 and nb. currently, my almost 4 yo and 2 yo share (they will both have birthdays this ummer), i was planning on them sharing in new place, and baby alone.
wwyd? put 4yo downstairs, 2 younder ones upstairs sharing? or 4 and2 yo downstairs together? or forget it?

ETA: its one flight down, the apt is 2 levels. not 3.

Message edited 4/5/2011 7:58:43 PM.

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

anyone want to give an opinion?

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

I'd keep the nb closest to the master and the 4 yo and 2yo in the other two rooms

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

It wouldn't bother me having kids on different floors, as long as you had good gates installed by the stairs and baby monitors in each room. I would put all kids upstairs - 4 yr old and 2 yr old together and newborn alone. MAster and playroom downstairs.
With 3 kids the more space the better, so I think I would go for the bigger place. BEsides the bedrooms being on differnt floors, how is the rest of the layout?

Message edited 4/5/2011 9:40:10 PM.

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

For me, I couldn't do it. For a multitude of reasons I would be too worried having any kids on a different floor than me. I would never sleep or relax Also, I dont think it would be very convenient.

We are looking for a house and I don't count any bedrooms that aren't on the same floor as bedrooms for this reason.

I would rather have them share if it were me.

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

I grew up in a basement (sounds bad when I write it like that.... )

We didn't have egress windows, but back then, there weren't as many safety issues and building codes for fire safety.....

It's actually nice sleeping in the basement. Summers are rarely hot, and winters aren't that cold. The ground keeps things a more constant temperature. The ground also muffles a lot of outside noises.

We had DS in the 2nd floor, and we were on the 1st floor for a few years. Never had a problem, other than the occasional running upstairs if he was crying, but that doesn't last very long. We're all on the same floor now, but on opposite sides of the house. Now that DC are 5 and 8, it's nice having a little separation between our bedroom and theirs.

Re: wwyd - housing /putting kids on a different floor

If not on the same floor as us, I would only put the kids upstairs. I would be worried about a break in in the basement or 1st floor and I could not hear it and my kids would be downstairs. Same concern with a fire in the basement.

So unless my kids are on the same floor as me, I would only put them on a second floor.

I am VERY paranoid obviously.