duplex

Depends on the layout of the space & the staircase itself.

Sunday - lived in a duplex for many years, bot no young children. Actually, with young ones, a duplex might actually be better. You probably have to do the "gate" on the stairs, but that's not really a big deal.
Kids stuff upstairs. Adults can entertain downstairs. (just like a house). Guests don't wander upstairs (unless invited), whereas on one level, people do wander.

Now,(no kids) prefer to have all the space on one level.

Oh - unless it that dreaded "spiral" stair, in which case it's fit only for goats, not for humans.

I have a young kid and we live in a Duplex. We love it for all the reasons ph41 states. One advantage, probably the only one, of a small spiral "goat" staircase is that it's harder for the kid to fall (all the way) down, they tend to stop after a stair or two.

What isn't a really big inconvenience when you have very young kids?

Baby monitors and gates help, but until the kids can get up and down the stairs themselves, moving them between the two levels could be dangerous. Maybe I worry about such things way too much.

I do not have kids, but I have owned a duplex for 4 years now. I have a straight staircase- which I imagine is a huge difference over a duplex with a spiral staircase. I honestly love it. On one floor I have the bedroom, living room/dining space, kitchen and bathroom. On the lower floor is a large recreation room and bathroom- great for entertaining. I figure as I eventually make the transition from single guy to family man, it gives me the flexibility to transform the space as I need it. During my young childhood years, I grew up in a triplex- so of course my parents had the staircases gated until I was old enough to use the stairs on my own.

Kids rolling down the stairs makes them heartier.

I vote "yes" to duplex!

Agree with Matt, me and my brother had the most fun riding down the stairs on sofa cushions.

Your typical Upper Middle Class suburban home has stairs in it, so people do it with little kids. Just put a carpet runner on 'em to make it safer - not just less slippery but softer if the kids fall.

I actually know of two adults (with drinking problems) who suffered serious accidents on stairs while intoxicated. I've never known of a kid to be seriously injured, actually. They have lower centers of gravity so it they fall on the stairs it's not usually as far.

stairs kill usable sq footage on each floor--if anyone wanders while in my apt, they get beat down

Better to kill square footage than kids, as these may be considered high risk for those kids inspired by Jimmy Superfly Snooka.

http://www.corenyc.com/files/listings/images/large/9f5b32e5725929627640ed724671f214.jpg

I have come much closer to falling down stairs myself (while wearing running socks) than any of my kids. There is a period roughly between 1 yr and 24 months when kids are both super-curious about stairs and not cautious (e.g. dragging blankets, toys down stairs, goofing around, etc.) Past the age of 2, you really don't need the gates anymore.

>> between 1 yr and 24 months when kids are both super-curious about stairs and not cautious (e.g. dragging blankets, toys down stairs, goofing around, etc.) Past the age of 2, you really don't need the gates anymore.

I agree. This also though corresponds to the age you pretty much have to watch them every single second, so you just put up a gate. It's not like you are letting your 18 month old play in their room unsupervised anyway, like you might a 4 or 5 year old. So if you're with them anyway, having to carry them up the stairs is not the end of the world. Midly annoying but doable. You just need changing tables on both floors!

Unless your apartment is at least 1500sq ft, there is a lot of wasted space in a duplex as a percentage of total space due to the stairs and landing area.

lay out is key and step type is key. I live in a duplex for the last 18 years and have a 10 year old. Duplex is good for family peace. There are times that changing a floor can save a marriage or a kid from over scolding. it's a great thing. there are more that a few homes outside the city that have steps...fear not.

We raised two kids on the top two floors of a brownstone (Chelsea). No problems, you really just get use to it and becomes second nature to be aware of the gates etc..This was a long time ago, they are both in college now. I always thought it was no different than owning a two story house in the burbs, many parents deal with stairs and basements. I also think it depends a bit on the style of stairs, spiral or any weird large gaps between floors.

The only real problem we had with the stairs were at parties when our guests drank a bit too much, our stairs were infamous then.

Always walk down BEHIND the children so their little soft bodies can act as padding if you trip and fall.

Lol.

I'm more concern about falling while holding the baby. I'm pretty careful, but others who are involved in taking of the kids are much more clumsy.

Did anyone end up getting a little bed for the lower level because of the duplex?

Pack 'n play for baby.

Good idea, especially one with a changing table. It might not be very "back friendly" though, right?

Pack 'n play with the raised platform for sleeping. Minimal bending. Don't worry about changing tables. Change 'em on the floor or on couch.