IELTS Essay # 308 - Advantages and disadvantages of living in a house compared with an apartment (2024)

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment.

Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:
Everybody dreams to have a comfortable and beautiful place to live in with their family that they would like to call "home". In fact, home is not just a dream, it is our fundamental right. But when it comes to choosing what type of place to live in, many people like to live in a house while others prefer an apartment. In my opinion, there are both advantages and disadvantages to living in a house or apartment, and the choice depends on our preference and capacity.

A house is a large accommodation facility that comes with many large rooms, garden, access to the rooftop, open space and so on. The owner can go up vertically to have more rooms or can plant trees whenever he wants. That's the kinds of freedom that make houses more desirable to most people. There is no restriction on how a landlord can design or paint the house or how large he wants the lawn to be. Finally, the price of land increases every year and investment in a house is profitable. However, these freedoms do not come cheap. The soaring real state price makes it impossible for most people to even think of owning a house in a city. Furthermore, the maintenance of a large house requires employees and money and the owner has to ensure the safety of the house on his own.

On the other hand, an apartment is a relatively modern accommodation arrangement for small families and are built by real state developers keeping modern facilities in mind. The customers can get everything readymade, sometimes even fully furnished rooms and kitchen. This eliminates the hassle of building a house and decorating it. The security and utility facilities are maintained by the building authority. However, an apartment owner has many restrictions, especially about how to renovate it, paint it, extent living areas or make more rooms. Besides, most flats have depreciation and not always a good investment.

In conclusion, choosing a perfect place to live is in not just about advantages or drawbacks. Preference, modern amenities, return on investment and economic power are also related.

Sample Answer 2:
Growing urbanisation has led to the lacking of space and thus a large number of people are opting to live in apartments. However, some people still prefer to live in a house. This essay explores the advantages and disadvantages of both these style of living before coming to a logical conclusion.

Till a few decades back, living in individual houses was the most common norm. This was not only due to the fact that land was easily available but also due to the size of the family. The extended family lived and worked together. The house was generally accompanied by a large garden and ample space for the children to play. Even today, people living in houses prefer to do so because they value their privacy and need their own space. They also argue that they can build and design the house layout as per their convenience. However, living in a house comes with a high maintenance cost and extra effort.

However, people living in an apartment does not have to spend much on maintenance. The maintenance is taken care of by society. There is a helpline number that you can call at any time of the day for any issue that you face. Besides, working parents also vouch for the safety of their children within such gated communities. The only discomfort faced by people living in apartments is the lack of privacy and space.

The choice of living in a house or in an apartment depends on factors such as availability, rental costs and need and hence a particular style of living cannot be deemed to be the better than the other.

[by Jayita]

Sample Answer 3:
A home is being considered as a paradise on the earth as it could be a destination after a hectic day. These days we have multiple options for the home, like an independent house or an apartment. Different people have different views on choosing a type of accommodation.

Firstly, let us look at the pros and cons of the house. An independent house is always considered as a status symbol. This could be one of the reasons that the majority of the film stars own a house rather than a flat. Another advantage could be; a personalised space is gained by living in a house. You are the owner of the area so you can change it as per your convenience. However, personal space could be quite expensive. It is known that houses are more expensive than an apartment. At times a house might not be a safe place to live. For example, it is not surprising to read news about murder and robbery in the villas these days.

Nevertheless, it is a fact that the apartment concept is widely accepted by society, so its benefits cannot be ignored. Though living in an apartment could be noisy sometimes, it is a safe place to live in. For instance, a thief would think twice before entering into a place where many people are living. Moreover, a security guard is easily affordable in an apartment compared to a house.

An apartment could be a good option for people who like to socialise more. For example, a conversation started with a simple hello, turns into a long hour chat. You tend to meet different kinds of people so there are higher chances of finding alike minded people in apartments. In this global world, people stay away from their families because of work. However, a party organised by the apartments secretaries could make people feel like celebrating festivals with families.

I believe, it is an individual's choice to decide a kind of place to live. However, being a very social person I would prefer to live in an apartment.

[by Naaz]

Sample Answer 4:
With the rapid population explosion, an increasing number of properties have been built in many bustling cities. However, a recent poll shows that people prefer dwelling in apartments than to living in houses. I also think that living in an apartment has more advantages though living in houses has some benefits as well.

As for hunting an ideal vocation, living in an apartment near the commercial centre is the best choice. First, we are offered more choices on transportations and we can save time on commuting. Moreover, we don't need to worry about any housebreaking burglary when leaving for a certain time, since our apartments are protected by the management company. Furthermore, there are fewer co*ckroaches and mosquitoes if we live on higher floors.

Nevertheless, people who tend to live in a house have a desire to enjoy the tranquillity. We are given more free space such as rooms, car parking, and garden. In the meantime, we can also invite friends to hold a big party without worrying that may bother the neighbours.

However, when living in an apartment, it's hard for us to rent a parking spot. We need to pay parking fee monthly which costs a considerable amount of income. However, it's stressful for the middle-class family to buy a house since it's pricey.

All in all, it depends on personal current situations to consider whether we should buy a house or an apartment, but in my opinion, I have to say the apartment is more suitable for people who live in a modern city.

[ Written by – Shirley ]

Sample Answer 5:
People have different opinions and choices about their living places, as some choose to live in a house while others prefer to live in an apartment. The following essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a house compared to an apartment, but I believe that having a house has more benefits than drawbacks.

For certain reasons, some people choose not to purchase a landed house. In common, houses have a larger space than a condominium or apartment, which means that it needs more time for the house owner to do the cleaning. As people get busier these days they have lesser time for cleaning activities, so they choose to live in an apartment. Secondly, there are more maintenance works to do for people who live in a cold area, especially during the winter season. For instance, it is mandatory for house owners to clear the pedestrian way which passes through their houses by shovelling the snow. This activity consumes a lot of time and energies, therefore people try to avoid it by living in a flat. Again owning a house increases many responsibilities which flat owners can mostly avoid. Finally, purchasing an apartment requires less money than building a decent house.

Despite all of the disadvantages mentioned above, many people believe that having a house brings a lot of benefits for them rather than owning an apartment. Firstly, it is a fact that the price of a detached house increases rapidly than an apartment. It means that house owners could get a higher capital gain when they plan to sell the house. Secondly, the living cost of living in a house is lower than in an apartment as they do not have to pay the monthly maintenance fee. In certain countries, governments also differentiate the electricity and water rate between landed houses and apartments, as they believe that living in condominiums would be counted as a luxurious lifestyle. Lastly, a certain belief that it is safer to live in a landed house, especially when a natural disaster occurs. For example, it is riskier for people who live in a highrise building to survive than those who live in a detached house during an earthquake. Furthermore, an apartment building is owned by a housing estate company and many flat owners live there together. This reduces the freedom for apartment owners. On the contrary, a separate house owner enjoys full freedom and do not have to live with many other families in the same building.

In conclusion, it is a fact that people have their own preferences and opinions about the type of properties that they would like to choose. Whichever the type of the property is, both have their own positive and negative aspects. I believe that the advantages of living in a house are greater than the disadvantages and I encourage people to save some money and purchase a house rather than planning to purchase an apartment.

[Written by - Darwin Lesmana]

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Isn't that this language of essays have a bit of an informal feeling? I just wanted to ask if it's ok to give a literature sense to essays, as l am not so familiar with IELTS. Thanks.

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Holy moly, you are a pro.

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I think these essays are good because they are gramarticaly corect. I will like to rate this ten out of ten!!! I copy it for me schol work and got 25/25. It is very good and I am grateful. Thank you.

Gull Mohammad Ahmadi

Good views and important points about living in a house or in an apartment. Helpful essay.

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IELTS Essay # 308 - Advantages and disadvantages of living in a house compared with an apartment (2024)

FAQs

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in house or in apartment? ›

Advantages & disadvantages of an apartment & a house
AdvantagesDisadvantages
Investing in a home helps a person to save money in the long run.Owning a home makes the owner responsible for all the expenses like insurance, repairs, maintenance, upgrades and property taxes.
4 more rows
Aug 29, 2012

Are there more advantages than disadvantages to living in a house rather than in an apartment? ›

To begin with, a house is more than a building; it is a permanent address. It offers more facilities than an apartment can, not to mention large rooms, a lawn, a space for gardening, open space and so on. Unlike a flat owner, a landlord can build a house the way he prefers and renovates it whenever he wants.

What are the disadvantages of living in a house? ›

If you live alone, owning a house may not be in your best interest. Houses require high maintenance fees. When you face issues like plumbing and air conditioning, it will be up to you. Houses cost more to maintain than apartments.

Do you think it's better to live in a house or an apartment Why? ›

They also argue that they can build and design the house layout as per their convenience. However, living in a house comes with a high maintenance cost and extra effort. However, people living in an apartment does not have to spend much on maintenance. The maintenance is taken care of by society.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a house? ›

Pros and Cons of Owning a House
ProsCons
Stability and peace of mindMust pay annual property taxes and homeowners' insurance (if you have a mortgage)
Can usually generate equity (money) long-termComes with regular maintenance costs (for painting, mowing, edging, tree-trimming, plumbing, roof repairs, etc.)
3 more rows
Mar 12, 2023

What are the pros and cons of living in a house? ›

In conclusion, there are both pros and cons to living in a house. The pros include having your own space and privacy, while the cons include having to maintain the property and paying for utilities. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide which outweighs the other.

What are two advantages of living inside a house? ›

Owning a house was a status symbol in many places. As a house is built according to the individual's convenience, it is a personalized space that is decorated or organized in accordance with the necessity. It offers privacy to everyone and is less noisy even though many people live in it.

What is the difference between a house and a home essay? ›

House refers to a building in which someone lives. In contrast, a home can refer either to a building or to any location that a person thinks of as the place where she lives and that belongs to her. A home can be a house or an apartment, but it could also be a tent, a boat, or an underground cave.

Which is one disadvantage of owning a home compared to renting a place to live? ›

Disadvantages of owning a home

Moving into a home can be costly. A longer commitment will be required vs. renting. Mortgage payments can be higher than rental payments.

What are the disadvantages of being house poor? ›

Becoming house poor can affect your ability to save for retirement, pay off debt or afford other purchases. It can create feelings of stress and anxiety around your finances and make you feel as if you're only one setback away from financial disaster.

What are three disadvantages of renting a home? ›

Cons of Renting:
  • Your landlord can increase the rent at any time.
  • You cannot build equity if you're renting a property. ...
  • There are no tax benefits to renting a property.
  • You cannot make any changes to your house or your apartment without your landlord's approval.
  • Many houses available for rent have a “No Pets” policy.
Oct 31, 2019

What are the disadvantages of building a house? ›

Cons of Building a House
  • Longer timeline: While an existing home is often move-in ready, a new build can take several months to complete. ...
  • Limited flexibility in price negotiation: While you can save money if you build your own home, you will not have as much negotiation in the price.
Feb 3, 2020

Why living at home is better? ›

There are many benefits to staying at home: You don't have to worry about the stress of house-hunting and moving. You're free to concentrate on learning or work. You can save money for the future.

Why do you prefer to live in a house? ›

Sample answer 1: I prefer living in a house to a flat because I value my privacy and need my own space. Owning an independent house, I can plan and design a house layout to suit myself. Moreover, I can modify a house according to the size of the family. Sample answer 2: Definitely a house!

Why do you live in a house? ›

All living being such as animals birds humans, need a place to live. It keeps us safe from bad weather such as rain, sunlight, storm and other natural disasters. That's why we need a house.

What are 4 advantages of owning a home? ›

4 Benefits of Owning a Home
  • You Can Build Equity Over Time. Equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage. ...
  • Your Monthly Payments Can Be Stable. ...
  • Owning a Home May Offer Tax Benefits. ...
  • You Can Create the Home You Want.
Aug 25, 2022

What are the advantages of owning a house instead of renting? ›

1) Pay yourself, not your landlord – Each month you own a home, you build equity in your property. That means you own a little more with every payment you make. You also have the opportunity to see your home increase in value, especially if you take care of it and make improvements.

What are the disadvantages of living at home with your parents? ›

CON: Lack of privacy

Like living with roommates, moving back home and living with your family means you may have to give up a certain amount of privacy. In fact, because you don't have the same boundaries with your parents as you would with roommates, you may have to sacrifice even more privacy. Be prepared.

What are the benefits of a house? ›

Here Are 9 Reasons Why Owning A Home Is More Advantageous Than Living On Rent:
  • 1.No landlord hassles:
  • Emotional security:
  • 3.No uncertainty:
  • 4.No compromise:
  • Easy financing options:
  • Tax benefits on home loan:
  • Building your own asset:
  • Home as an investment:

What are the three benefits of home? ›

5 Real Benefits of Owning A Home
  • Building Equity. Your equity is the amount of the property you own. ...
  • Living Security. While renting, your situation is in the hands of the landlord, who may decide they no longer want to rent their property out. ...
  • Create Your Dream Home. ...
  • Control Over Costs. ...
  • Save Money.

What is the difference between a house and an apartment? ›

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 is the difference between a home and a house emotionally? ›

The main difference between home and house is that a home is the place where someone lives and where they have an emotional attachment to whereas a house merely refers to a building in which someone lives.

What is the difference between at home and in home? ›

Which is correct, at home or in home? “At home” is right. “Home” is not a specific place; it varies from person to person. “In” is used for specific places that don't change, like “I am in the Kroger on the corner.” Since your home is not everyone's home, it would be “At home.” Hope it helped!

What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting versus owning a home? ›

Renting offers flexibility, predictable monthly expenses, and someone to handle repairs. Homeownership brings intangible benefits, such as a sense of stability and pride of ownership, along with the tangible ones of tax deductions and equity.

What is a major disadvantage of owning rental property? ›

The drawbacks of having rental properties include a lack of liquidity, the cost of upkeep, and the potential for difficult tenants and for the neighborhood's appeal to decline.

What are five reasons that you shouldn't own a house? ›

In fact, if any of these five things apply to you, you probably should not purchase a property -- at least not anytime soon.
  • You'll be moving soon. ...
  • You don't have a down payment. ...
  • Your credit score is low. ...
  • You have no emergency fund. ...
  • You can't afford closing costs.
Mar 23, 2022

What are a few advantages of owning a home what are a few disadvantages? ›

Homeownership Pros and Cons At A Glance
ProsCons
Tax deductionsUpfront costs
Can help increase your credit scoreProperty taxes and other recurring fees
Privacy and control over own spaceResponsible for the work and cost of home repairs
Feeling of accomplishmentLess flexibility to move
1 more row
Mar 22, 2023

What types of homes should you avoid? ›

15 Type of House to Avoid
  • Houses located on a Busy Street. ...
  • Houses with small front yards. ...
  • Houses that have steep driveways. ...
  • Houses near an Industrial Park, and Airport or near a busy highway. ...
  • Houses that have a floor-plan that is Functionally Obsolete. ...
  • Houses small in size with small square footage of living space.

What are the disadvantages of expensive houses? ›

The cons of buying luxury properties

Depending on the age of the home, maintenance and repairs can really add up. Plus, you'll likely pay a lot more for homeowner's insurance. Many financial experts warn that given the volatile nature of the real estate market, buying less house than you can afford is a smart move.

Is it stressful to build a house? ›

Share: The decision to build a new home could be one of the most rewarding — or stressful — experiences of your adult life. It's a huge commitment in both time and money; and with a lot at stake, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

Is it healthy to be always at home? ›

Staying home for long periods can adversely affect a person's mental and physical health. However, a person can take steps to safeguard their health.

Does living at home save money? ›

Living at home is a great way to cut back on expenses. That doesn't necessarily mean those expenses will go away entirely—mom and dad might not want you mooching off them until you're in your 30s—but it does mean that you'll likely be paying a lot less than you would for your own place.

What do you dislike about your house? ›

It's too expensive. It's too old. It's too dirty, moldy, or smelly. It's too hot or cold.

What does it mean to live at home? ›

: to live with one's parent or parents. adult children who live at home.

How do you describe your home? ›

Always start with where you reside, the area, the location, probably even the sector, if applicable. Go on to the details of how your home appears. While speaking about its appearance, be extremely inspired and involve the zeal you share for your home that will add a boost to your description.

Why do some people buy lots of things for their home? ›

But, of course, some people like to buy many pieces of stuff for their homes because they see them as some symbols of higher status and recognition in the society, they live. While some have a large family and they simply need many things for their daily life. Q.

What is the advantage of living alone in an apartment? ›

You Don't Have to Share

So, one of the benefits of living alone is you don't have to share your belongings with anyone. It also means you don't have to share the bathroom or common areas or wait to use the washer/dryer (unless you live in an apartment complex with a shared laundry room).

What are the advantages of house? ›

When you have a home of your own, you are in control. You do not have to deal with a landlord; be it minor repairs or a complete overhaul of your entire home, living on rent is a pain in many ways. You are dependent on the landlord for water, electricity, maintenance and almost everything else.

What are the benefits of renting a home? ›

Benefits of renting often include:
  • Rent payments tend to be lower than a comparable house payment.
  • Utility costs may be included in rental fee, creating additional savings.
  • Relocation is easier.
  • Maintenance and repairs are not your responsibility.
  • Credit requirements are less strict.

What is the important difference between a home and a house? ›

House refers to a building in which someone lives. In contrast, a home can refer either to a building or to any location that a person thinks of as the place where she lives and that belongs to her. A home can be a house or an apartment, but it could also be a tent, a boat, or an underground cave.

Is it good to stay alone in a house? ›

Living alone not only gives you an unparalleled level of freedom, but it also gives you the time to focus on what you really want to do. What's great about living alone is that it gives you confidence that you can do it.

How do I protect myself when living alone in an apartment? ›

10 Ways to Stay Safe When Living Alone
  1. Adopt Daily Safety Habits.
  2. Get to Know Your Neighbors.
  3. Invest in a Home Security System.
  4. Keep a List of Emergency Numbers.
  5. Consider Smart Home Solutions.
  6. Create Emergency Exit Plans.
  7. Get a Dog for Protection and Company.
  8. Don't Announce Vacations or Travel Plans.
Oct 12, 2022

Is it hard to live in an apartment alone? ›

Living alone requires more responsibility – paying the bills on time, cleaning up after yourself, and making food. You'll be able to adjust as time goes on, but getting in the groove of things can be challenging. Try creating a morning routine to get yourself situated.

What are the benefits of living in an older house? ›

Older homes are often built closer to the center of town, making it easy to walk to local shops, schools, and other amenities. And if you happen to find an old house outside the city's center, it could still have amenities within walking distance.

What are the negative effects of buildings? ›

According to some studies, construction is responsible for up to 50% of climate change. It also impacts landfills and air, water, and noise pollution.

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