5 reasons why apartment living is better than a house (2024)

FAQs

Why is living in an apartment better than a house? ›

The Main Difference Between Renting a House vs. an Apartment. House rentals generally offer more space, privacy, and have an affordable rent price compared to an apartment. Apartments, on the other hand, offer convenience, great amenities, access to on-site staff, and more security than a house.

Apartment living is a simpler, lower-stress way of living, providing you with the space to figure out what matters most and the freedom to focus on those important things. Instead of spending your spare time on obligations that come with owning a house, such as fixing up the house, maintenance projects etc.

Rent is generally cheaper than a mortgage. In addition to an overall lower monthly payment, other financial components such as upkeep and utilities are usually lower. This is due to the smaller space and the overall responsibility of a landlord/owner versus a tenant.

Unlike homeowners, renters have no maintenance costs or repair bills and they don't have to pay property taxes. Amenities that are generally free for renters aren't for homeowners, who have to pay for installation and maintenance.

apartment renters actually end up contributing to less greenhouse gas emissions for everyone, overall. By living in a compact development that conserves land, you're helping cut down the distance, time, and gas-burning it takes for people everywhere to get where they're going.

If you found an apartment you love, you are probably wondering if you can stay in it forever. In theory, yes you can – as long as your lease continues to be renewed.

Apartments provide much more privacy. Even if you choose a 'shared' apartment arrangement, which are popular in communities near college campuses, you typically have a private bedroom and own bathroom. Fewer Rules – In the dorm, you have very strict codes of conduct and possibly even a curfew.

How long are you planning to settle down? If you're only going to live in a place for only a year or two, renting makes more sense. However, if you're going to stay there for three years or more, then buying would be a good idea and it becomes a better idea the longer you stay.

The lease

This is arguably the most important aspect of an apartment. All other features depend on it.

Are more people living in apartments? ›

Demand for apartments is at an all-time high as the number of renters has reached an unprecedented level. Nearly 39 million people in the United States — that is almost 1 in 8 — call apartments home.

Spending by the nation's 40 million apartment residents contributes $3.4 trillion annually to the economy (including $351 billion in taxes), supporting 17.5 million jobs.

More Space

If you're a big family, living in a house may be for you. For big families, living in a house can grant each member some privacy. Many houses provide large kitchens and living rooms for family time. If you want a comfortable home for your family, consider living in a house.

The Basics of Sustainable Design

Adding energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as LEDs, reduces electricity costs. Similarly, low-flow showerheads, toilets, and water faucets control and minimize water use.

The average apartment lease length is one year to 15 months from the time you move in. You and your landlord will then decide whether or not to renew the lease at the end of the year.

The living room space of your apartment can be both a bedroom and living room. It might be possible to create separation using a temporary half wall or room divider. However, the outcome might end up looking a bit cluttered if there isn't some careful planning beforehand.

A guideline commonly cited by real estate experts is to stay at your house for at least five years. On average, this is how long it takes a homeowner to make up for mortgage interest and closing costs.

How do I make my apartment feel like my own? ›

A residence is “a temporary or permanent dwelling place, abode, or habitation to which one intends to return as distinguished from a place of temporary sojourn or transient visit.” An apartment is “an individual dwelling unit, usually on a single level and often contained in a multi-unit building or development.”

“Students who live on campus are less likely to transfer or take time away from school, and overall, they are more satisfied with their college experience,” says Chad Fehr. “It is easier to get involved in student organizations that meet after hours and build more connections with other students, faculty and staff.

Research has shown that students who live in dorms achieve better academic outcomes during their degree, even if they live on campus for just one year. This has been attributed to being closer to classes, faculty and facilities like the library, enabling you to be more engaged.

Buying a house gives you ownership, privacy and home equity, but the expensive repairs, taxes, interest and insurance can really get you. Renting a home or apartment is lower maintenance and gives you more flexibility to move. But you may have to deal with rent increases, loud neighbors or a grumpy landlord.

A major disadvantage of renting to own is that renters lose their down payment and other non-refundable charges if they decide not to purchase the home. Some sellers may even take advantage of renters by making it difficult or unappealing to purchase the home — with the goal of keeping the down payment.

What are 3 advantages of rent to own? ›

Living alone gives you the opportunity to explore your true self and develop a sense of being comfortable in your own skin. This might be the simple act of being comfortable in your own company. Or being able to spot what triggers negative feelings and (most importantly) what you can do to counteract them.

Living alone affords plenty of privacy. You can walk around the house in whatever state you like. The peace, quiet and mental solitude can help you recover from the stresses of daily living. There is plenty of time to think without interruptions.

A tenant is someone who pays rent for the place they live in, or for land or buildings that they use.

While 80 percent of the population would prefer to live in a single-family home, seven in ten Americans (70 percent) actually do. Apartment and condo living is only preferred by 8 percent of the population, yet two in 10 Americans (17 percent) live in an apartment or condo.

You'll save a bunch of money

Additionally, the smaller your space the less your monthly bills will rack up since it takes less energy to light up, heat up and cool down your space. If your place is half the size of your friend's place, who do you think is spending half as much on utilities?

It offers some financial freedom and flexibility since you do not have to spend money on maintenance, repairs, home insurance, and property taxes. Becoming a tenant is a lifestyle choice with several advantages over buying a home, but it also has its downsides that you can never overlook.

What is one advantage of renting an apartment or a house? ›

But you won't pay any property taxes as a renter. Some utilities may be covered in your rent. When you rent an apartment, often things like gas, water, trash, pest control and potentially even things like cable/internet are built into your bill. However, when you own a home, none of these are built into your mortgage.

House rentals generally offer more space, privacy, and have an affordable rent price compared to an apartment. Apartments, on the other hand, offer convenience, great amenities, access to on-site staff, and more security than a house.

The biggest potential benefits of owning a rental property include a hedge against inflation, rental income, equity, and having control of the investment. Drawbacks to consider before buying a rental property include a large down payment, dealing with tenants, and lack of liquidity.

Renting a home has lower upfront costs than buying one, and landlords usually handle repairs and maintenance. Buying a home offers stability and potential tax benefits that renting does not. Plus, homeowners might be able to build equity.

Do you prefer living in a house or a flat? To me, living in a house would be much better, because, you know, I need my own space, so that I can concentrate on my work. Besides, I can change the size and design of the house in anyway I like. I can't do that if I live in a flat.

Flat vs house: Maintenance cost

In case of an independent house meaning like a villa, the maintenance cost has to be borne by the owner and it is higher than what would be paid in an apartment. Moreover, in a residential complex, everyone pools in and therefore, the maintenance charges reduces drastically.

Sometimes, a flat can be associated with middle-class living, depending on the geography. An apartment has a more luxurious connotation and caters to a more indulgent audience.

One of the main drawbacks is that you are responsible for maintaining the property. This includes mowing the lawn, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and cleaning the gutters. Additionally, you are responsible for paying for utilities, such as electricity, water, and gas.

House: A House is a standalone building designed for people to live in. It typically has a private entrance, a yard or garden, and multiple rooms spread across one or more floors. Apartment: An Apartment, on the other hand, is a housing unit located in a larger building that is divided into multiple units.

What level is best to live on in an apartment? ›

Living on the ground floor will help you save on utility bills. The lower floors make for a less expensive air-conditioning bill in the summer as the cool air naturally reigns in lower locations. Also, you'll likely have less exposure to natural sunlight, which will keep your place cooler in the hot months of summer.

Bigger isn't necessarily always better, but smaller can still be expensive if you buy a modern home with a variety of fancy upgrades on a large piece of property. If you plan for higher expenses and lived with the reality of them for half a year, you may be ready to invest in a larger home.

Smaller homes are easier to maintain.

Anyone who has owned a house knows the amount of time, energy, and effort to maintain it. All things being equal, a smaller home requires less of your time, energy, and effort to accomplish that task.

The word “apartment" comes from the French word appartement and the Italian word appartimento, both of which mean “a separated place." If you think about it, it makes sense. Even though all the apartments within a single building are indeed stuck together, they are also apart from each other.

The etymology of flat originates from the Old English word “flett,” dating back to the 1300s. The term means level and in one plane, which nowadays relates to many different things, such as a deflated tire, lying prone, and a dwelling on one story. Hence, the term flat is used to describe a one-level apartment.

The main difference comes down to ownership. Condominiums are owned by individuals and rented out privately (this is your typical landlord). In contrast, apartments are generally owned by property management companies who rent and manage all the units, creating a more standard approach and leasing process.