For years I shared a garden with a great neighbor. Need advice on fairly recent developments.

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. You can transplant with lettuce type thinnings if...

you do it when temps are cool, do it in very moist dirt, and keep the plants lightly shaded for 2-3 days..they will stand proud when they are growing happily. Usually that means spring or late fall, unless you are in a very temperate climate now.
And I think window boxes and even patio/edge of garden boxes would be great considering your situation.
I once grew a summer garden on my apt. balcony, was amazed at how much I could stuff into planter boxes.

About the only things I found to not transplant well is carrots.

Happy digging!