Apartment or House: Which is Right for You?
When looking at new places to move into, sometimes it can be difficult to decide if an apartment or a house is the better choice. Some people prefer living in an apartment and others love living in a house. We can’t tell which is better because there is no answer to that question. It’s a very complex subject and it’s just a matter of personal preferences. Apartment or house : Which is right for you? We bring you some pros and cons of living in an apartment vs a house.
There are several apartment vs house differences you should take into consideration, like how many roommates you want to have, how much you’re willing to spend on rent and utilities and whether or not you want to deal with having a yard. And to figure out “should i live in a house or apartment”, which of these two options is best for you, you need to analyze each one.
LIVING IN AN APARTMENT
Advantages of living in an apartment are security, low maintenance, amenities, and lower costs.
Low maintenance – with nearly all apartments, maintenance is covered and taken care of by the landlord or the body corporate, making one less major worry for you when that leaky pipe finally splits.
Security – As far as security goes, apartments seem to be the better choice. Some apartment buildings have security guards and a lot of them feature secure front doors which can only be opened with a code or card. Also, it’s less likely for a potential thief to go unnoticed when there are so many neighbors everywhere around you.
Amenities – living in an apartment complex usually brings access to a large array of amenities that you might not get after buying a home. This potentially includes things like a common room, swimming pool, communal barbeques, a gym, covered parking, and a security system.
Perfect for living alone – for those who plan on living alone for the foreseeable future, the smaller space and simplicity of an apartment is ideal for those who want less space and smaller bills.
Less to clean – Think of how easy it is to clean a small apartment compared to a big house. You’ll have a ton of windows to clean, more floors to vacuum and you’ll also have to worry about the outdoor spaces.
Bills and fees – apartment living usually costs you less in terms of things such as heating, cooling, and other utilities such as water and electricity. This can help with budgeting.
Pros and cons of living in an apartment
Disadvantages of apartment vs house include:
Smaller living space – The first and foremost disadvantage of apartments is that they’re generally smaller than the average house. While this means you’ve got less space to clean, that’s only a small consolation for less living space. You also may not have access to a clothes line.
Privacy and noise – It you’re the type that likes peace and quiet, you may have trouble finding those things in an apartment. Due to the crowded nature of apartment buildings, the privacy afforded by apartment living is less than that of living in a house. You might overhear someone speaking in the apartment next to yours, or they might hear you. The best thing you can do is try to establish a good relationship with your neighbors from the start. You’ll respect them and they’ll respect you.
Limited decorations – Because most apartments are owned or overseen by a landlord or body corporate. The extent to which you can decorate apartment is potentially limited. Some common restrictions include being able to repaint, replace or change fittings, and the installation of air conditioning if the apartment doesn’t already have it. On the other hand, if you own a home, you can redecorate to your heart’s content!
Parking – Parking spaces can be at a premium in an apartment block, particularly if you don’t have allocated parking.
LIVING IN A HOUSE
Advantages of living in a house than apartment
Advantages of living in a house than apartment:
Plenty of space – Having a house means more space. Houses are better for those who enjoy throwing parties regularly, there’s no doubt about it. Entertaining your friends is a lot more pleasant when you have a yard, several bedrooms and plenty of space in general. Living in a house offers you much more space than you’d get with an apartment. Sometimes renting a house comes with a yard, which is great if you have kids and dogs.
More freedom – You’ll have more freedom and a lot more privacy when living in a house.
Your own garage and parking – you always have a place to park your car.
Less noise to deal with, which is great if you prefer your home to be a quiet place to study or watch TV.
Disadvantages of living in a house include:
Rents are bigger – monthly rents for a house are higher than for an apartment. If you are trying to decide between buying a house or renting an apartment you need to consider how stable your city housing market is.
More responsibility – and time and money. An apartment might be smaller but all of a sudden you’ll have far less responsibility and more time and money. An independent property needs extra effort for setting up services like security, power back-up, water systems and fire safety mechanism . This would also include an extra cost.
Bigger space – bigger mess : when a few people live in the same house dishes tend to pile up and it can be difficult to keep the place tidy. While this can be true for both houses and apartments, since more people tend to live in a house, the messes in them tend to grow a lot faster.
And, you should know, when it comes to houses, your work does not end here. Once you start living in your own house, the property needs constant efforts for maintenance, cleanliness and construction & repair. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeownership in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest point in nearly 20 years – just under 65 percent – as renting becomes a more attractive and affordable alternative. The last time it was that low was in 1995.
There are pros and cons for apartment vs house, just remember to try and make the most out of the pros and not dwell on the cons as much as possible.
Apartment or House: Which is Right for You?
Apartment or House: Which is Right for You?
Essentially, the difference between living in a house or an apartment boils down to two things: price and privacy. If you do enough looking, you can probably find a house or an apartment that will fit all of your needs. The choice depends upon your personal preferences and your view on all the questions above, as well as anything else you consider an important factor. What you should consider the most is if you can afford the place you’re looking at moving into. Next, take a long, hard and objective look at the location. In conclusion, it all depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
