What's more important? Kids space or living area?

Kids are the priority. When you don't give them a good amount of space that they can call their own, they claim the common space. Sometimes even your own room lol. You have to remember that they're going to have to share the space back there amongst each other so the more the better. We also found floorplans that had an island or rear entertainment that we loved, but gave it up for a floorplan that was better suited for the kids.

Since you're going to be living in it for 7 months then I would go with the unit that has the most space back there. I wouldn't worry too much about kids outgrowing the bunk. I slept in one from childhood until I was out of college.