There are pros and cons to both renting a house and an apartment. It can be confusing to decide which is the best option for you. In this blog post, we will compare the two options to help you make a decision.
Contents
Difference Between A House And An Apartment
Both houses and apartment buildings are types of rental properties built for different purposes and sometimes for different times of life. In general terms, apartments are designed to house multiple families in separate homes, whereas a freestanding house is generally for one family.
If you’re trying to decide for yourself, is it better to rent a house or apartment, it depends on a whole lot of factors, and we’ll outline them here.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Renting An Apartment
Living in an apartment has its benefits and disadvantages. It’s not for everyone, but it can be a good idea in certain situations.
Advantages Of Renting An Apartment
No Maintenance Worries
An advantage of renting is that you don’t have to worry about maintenance and repairs. If something breaks, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to fix it. This can be a big relief, especially if you’re not handy or don’t have the time to take care of repairs yourself. All you need to do is find out how to submit any maintenance requests you may have. Plus the building and exterior are maintained by the apartment management.
Amenities
Most apartments give you access to amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, playground, or laundry room.
Apartment Community
One of the biggest advantages of apartment complexes is the sense of community that develops among residents. People who live in apartments often become friends, and they look out for one another. If someone needs help, there’s usually someone around who can lend a hand. This can be especially helpful when you’re new to an area and are still getting settled.
Location
Even though the location of an apartment is not something to be considered when looking for a home, it still has its advantages.
Many apartments are close to major cities. This means more job opportunities and usually, public transportation will be only a short walk away. The same can be said about being within walking distance to stores, restaurants, and other entertainment options that help make life more convenient.
Security
Living in an apartment complex will have its own safety measures in place that can give you some peace of mind.
More Personal Time, Less Stress
Have more time to enjoy your life, since you won’t have to worry about yard work or maintaining the house!
Disadvantages Of Renting An Apartment
Size
Typically, apartments have less square footage than rental houses, unless it happens to be one of those luxury apartments!
Noisy Neighbors
Shared walls in apartment rentals may be a problem if your neighbors are noisy.
Parking Space
Usually, but not always, renting an apartment means that you are allocated at least one spot to park your car.
Utilities
While you will probably need to pay for the electricity and gas, the trash pickups should be included in the rent expense.
Outdoor Space
Your apartment may or may not have a balcony, but either way, there is less private outdoor space when living in an apartment building.
Furry Friends
You may find it hard to find apartments where your lovely dog or cat is welcome.
Why Renting An Apartment Is Better
All in all, renting an apartment has its pros and cons. It’s important to weigh your options and decide what’s best for you. If you’re looking for more convenience and no yard work, renting an apartment may be the way to go.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Renting A House
The advantages and disadvantages of living in a house are many. It is not for everyone, but it may be a fantastic solution in certain cases.
Advantages Of Renting A House
Your Family
If you have kids, or are planning to have them, living in a spacious house with your own backyard, hopefully with trees and maybe a teeter totter might be the way you want them to grow up.
No Repairs
The benefits of owning your own home, without the responsibilities! Unlike with a conventional mortgage, you are not responsible for repairs or major expenditures.
Size
A house rental means usually that you have more square footage: that’s more space and more rooms because you’re renting the whole house! However, this may not always be the case. In some cases, an apartment can actually be bigger than a house.
Privacy
You have more privacy in a house. When living in an apartment, you are constantly sharing walls (and sometimes floors and ceilings) with your neighbors. This can make it difficult to have any type of privacy, whether you are entertaining guests or just trying to get some peace and quiet.
Garden
You’ll have your own private garden to enjoy without having to share with anyone. Also, although you won’t be able to do major changes to the garden without consulting the landlord, you should be able to grow a few vegetables. And if you’re not allowed to grow vegetables in the garden for some reason, you’ll have plenty of room for pots overflowing with homegrown food.
Furry Friends
Pets may be allowed! If you love animals but don’t want the full-time responsibility of owning a pet, renting a house may be a good option for you as landlords are generally more lenient when it comes to furry friends.
Disadvantages Of Renting A House
There are also some disadvantages that come along with living in a house:
Parking
You may have difficulty finding parking. If you live in an urban area, parking can be difficult (and expensive!) to come by. When renting a house, you may have to park on the street or in a shared parking lot, which can be inconvenient.
Amenities
You probably won’t have access to the amenities that you have if you live in an apartment complex.
Yard Work
You will have the benefit of your own outdoor space, all to yourself. However, normally you will be responsible for the yard work.
Lack Of Community
You may feel isolated from the community. When living in close proximity to your neighbors, it is easy to develop a sense of community. This can be beneficial if you need help with something or just want someone to talk to. When living in a house, you may not have this same opportunity as you are not as close to your neighbors.
Location
Generally speaking, you’ll find that most houses are constructed in the suburbs. This may mean a longer commute time. Hopefully, there are services close by, but the entertainment might possibly be further away than you would like.
Utilities
You may need to pay for utilities and trash service. This is not always the case, but sometimes landlords will require that tenants pay for their own utilities and trash service. Be sure to ask about this before signing a lease!
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to renting a house. It is important to weigh your options and decide what is best for you. If you need more freedom and flexibility, renting a house may be the way to go. However, if you prefer close proximity to your neighbors and access to amenities, an apartment may be a better option.
Why Renting A House Is Better
So, which is better? It really depends on your needs and budget. If you need a lot of space or you want your own yard, a freestanding house is probably the better option.
Conclusion
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable place to live with some added amenities, an apartment is probably the way to go.
