Should You Rent an Apartment or a House?

Renters nowadays demand so much more from their accommodation than it merely being viewed as a place to live. A suitable home has to be in the right location, be close to the best transport links, offer optimum living space - and all this for the least possible outlay. Whether you decide on a house or apartment it may still be very difficult to find somewhere that ticks all the boxes. Compromises will often need to be made to adapt to the ever changing demands of modern lifestyles.

The decision to rent an apartment as opposed to a house is one that needs careful consideration. What will be the best suited to your individual lifestyle? A large family with a car and pets will not want to rent a slick city apartment as they will require a garden and endless space for storage. Whereas a single person or couple with no children will be better suited to apartment living that is virtually maintenance free, a growing family may feel trapped in the close confines of a city apartment. However one could argue that if the apartment is spacious enough and is located near parks and open spaces and offers underground car parking facilities, it could be even better than a house. There are so many types of rental properties to choose from nowadays that you are certain to find one that most closely matches your requirements whether it is an apartment or an individual property.

An apartment will likely be cheaper to run and there may even be a communal heating system, sound proofed walls and an ongoing maintenance programme but when you rent an individual house you will have to ensure you keep the garden well maintained and carry out such tasks as cleaning windows, sweeping yards etc. on a regular basis.

If you are just starting out, apartment living can be considerably cheaper than renting a house and there will be less to do to keep it looking tidy. Busy professionals will want to relax at the end of the day and not want to tackle too many household tasks. You may also find that most apartment buildings are nearer to the main city attractions and thus more convenient for fast-paced city living. Renting an apartment will help cut down on transport costs. You will also discover that living near the city centre will provide you with more daily activities and night life than a house in a sprawling suburb beyond the city limits. City living means you can become part of the busy cityscape at night after the day’s work is done and you will always be able to find somewhere open to buy groceries. In quieter suburbia, most retailers will shut up shop much earlier in the day.

An apartment will be more suitable for those who value their privacy and those who don't wish to socialise with the neighbours or be an active member in the community. Apartment renting is, therefore, better suited to renters who do not want to put down permanent roots. Many city apartment blocks often provide areas such as gyms and other communal spaces where residents can become acquainted with one another if they so wish.

If you are undecided as to whether you should rent a house or an apartment it will be wise to view several properties for rent in your chosen area and draw up a list of plus points and drawbacks to gauge which type of accommodation is ideally suited to your lifestyle. Conduct a thorough search of properties available to rent and decide which type of property is more likely to be near the places that you need to visit frequently. Search UK property rentals on Rightmove or home rental search for the USA.

What will your travelling costs be if you opt for the house out of town? You don't want to be taking on too much if you’ve never rented a home before. Accommodation costs can take a huge chunk out of anyone's paycheck, whether they are a tenant or a home owner.

There are of course advantages and disadvantages to be said for renting houses and apartments and it is up to you to make an informed decision. Visit friends’ homes and see whether their accommodation caters for the needs of their lifestyle. Whichever you choose, when you come home from work at the end of the day, you can walk through the door, close the curtains and enjoy the living space you have turned into a real home.