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. There are several different things 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.

Often, the decision to live in an apartment or a home is made for you. Depending on where you live, you simply may not be able to afford a house, regardless of if you rent or buy it. If money is no object–or at least less of one– your personal preferences come into play when weighing the pros and cons of an apartment versus a home.

  • Amenities and lifestyle

The amenities included in apartment and home rentals are distinctly different, each catering to different lifestyles. House rentals are more likely to have larger yards and garages. If you have a dog or several vehicles, then these amenities make the home rental a more enticing option. Conversely, many apartment complexes have complimentary gyms, community pools or other recreational amenities, those who work out regularly usually find apartments more suitable.

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  • Privacy

Typically, a house is going to afford you a lot more privacy. With no neighbours listening through the walls or complaining about your footsteps in the morning, you have a lot more freedom in a home. If you’re a loud person or someone who needs a quiet environment, apartment living may not be for you. Remember, in many apartments, there are people and families living on all sides of you. Houses make much better places for parties than cramped apartments. If you’re a social butterfly who likes to entertain, apartments aren’t usually the best places to live. Because you don’t share a wall with the people living next to you, you can choose to get a little wild and crazy without having to worry so much about it takes a little more before the police get called or angry neighbours bang on your door and telling you to be quiet.

  • Space

In most cases, 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 a dog. That said, a yard can be a lot of work, which includes mowing the lawn on a regular basis. Also, when you live in a house there tends to be less noise to deal with, which is great if you prefer your home to be a quiet place to study or watch TV.

  • Location

If you’re looking for a prime location right in the downtown area, in the heart of the city, you’re most likely going to be looking at an apartment. Single-family dwellings are usually found in more suburban or outer-city regions.

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Ultimately, the choice between an apartment or a home comes down to personal preference. The pros of owning or renting your own home–more space, less noise–can be cancelled out by other factors. Before you make such a big move, consider what you will be giving up.

First Stay Realty Inc. offers sound relocation advice that applies to virtually any situation–think about how you live in your current neighbourhood. If you like your lifestyle, make sure the next neighbourhood you live in allows for the same type of existence.

Author: Master’s in Architectural Science Anastasia Rudenko