Life in the little Apple: Chinese family reveal tiny apartment life in New York with five crammed into a 350-sq-ft space in search of American dream

Not so long ago it was normal for children to share bedrooms, and for families to share smaller spaces. Maybe not to this extreme, but now so many these days are not willing to make any sacrifices to get ahead. They expect others to pay. If each child doesn't have a huge room, it's "having more children than you can afford" even if all needs are met. Clearly it wasn't all bliss all the time for these people, but I think we could learn a thing or two about priorities and what's a necessity.

You don't have to live in New York City where it's so expensive. There are other places in the United States that aren't as glamorous but offer a much more comfortable life.

I would bet that these parents are and will instill work ethics to their kids and the kids will be a success.

Respect. I'm willing to bet these kids are very good students and will grow up to be great examples of the American dream.

They came here legally. I appreciate ther hard work and the risks they are taking to live the Anerican dream. It will take time, but hard work and dedication will get them thee

So many of these apartments in chinatown / (whats left of) little italy are all like this. You can imagine a single person in 350 sq ft having a tough time, let alone a family of five. Kudos that they have persisted in their quest for the American Dream. SUNY Binghamton isn't an ivy league, but as one of the four "main" state schools in NY (and the smallest of the four) - it's a credit to the eldest son that he was able to get in.

She sure is pretty....now

If they moved to a different state they could get 5 acres for the same price .

Are the moaning or looking for handouts? No....... working hard, kids going to Uni, you know they will all be Dr's, Engineers, and good for society.We have a lot like this in Australia, and i think it is great..........

i wonder what happened after they divorced

Best wishes to them all for happy lives. Even though there was struggle, you can see the warmth of their family evident in the photos. Marriages don't always last, but these photos tell a story, one that shows two hard-working parents sacrificing to give their children better lives.

American's would never work this hard to achieve success. Hence the popularity of Bernie Sanders.

Wait....Mr and Mrs Lam got DIVORCED! Wow!! Even though they have come to this soil to live and are now westernized, isn't it almost nil to none for divorce to be in their culture? It's a shame that with ALL those kids in tow that the marriage didn't survive.

I bet they still like that apartment in New York than living in China!

I know hipsters on the Lower East Side who live in far worse conditions than this. That apartment looks quite well maintained and clean compared to many I have seen.

Funny how families survive when they can't run to the housing association and demand a bigger house. They should be proud of their achievements.

And no mention of welfare checks or any other government handouts. Not like many healthy Americans who live here and expect it.

Why would you continue to have more kids if you know you can't provide well for them? Smh

They persevere and that's a virtue

The American Dream is an illusion. It no longer exists. You are better off staying put.