Edit: I think I am now leaning toward keeping them in my tiny back yard and having a backup plan ready in case I need to move them. I did not get the overwhelming "no absolutely not" that I was expecting and it's giving me a little hope, but I am nervous and skeptical. Thanks everybody for your feedback!

Original post: Hello! When my husband and I bought our house with a yard, he encouraged me to finally get into beekeeping. Then he wanted a divorce and I knew it would be a matter of time until I'd have to move myself and my hive. And that time has come.

My new place is a more urban rowhouse and has a concrete back patio that's about 11 feet by 11 feet if I'm being generous. The hive would be 10 feet from my back door. Behind my back patio is an unused alley (too small for cars) then a parking lot for an apartment complex and their trash cans. I don't have roof access so that is not an option.

I've only been keeping a couple years, and my hive now is pretty chill, I can get close to it, but previously it was about 30 feet from my back door, so I know I can handle that. Ten feet just seems a little close now. I also seem unable to do a hive inspection without getting at least a few cranky bees.

My dog likes to hang out on the back patio and watch for rats, but she's familiar with the hive and knows to stay away. We don't really use the back patio except to store bikes and smoke.

Does anybody else have their hive in a tight space close to the back door? Is it feasible? Am I being unreasonably concerned? Are there things that would be helpful that I'm not considering?

Thanks for any input~