What are the disadvantages of living in an apartment/condominium compared to a standalone house?

Question

I've been living in a standalone house/terrace house most of my life apart from a couple of years when I lived with someone else in an apartment. From my experience, living in a standalone residence has a lot of disadvantages, especially mine being a terrace (me and my next-door neighbors sharing the same walls). In addition, neighbors know when you leave the house, come home, water the plants, clean the car, have your bath etc. cos there's hardly any privacy (unless one lives in a rich residential area, but most of us aren't that fortunate).

One of the disadvantages of living in an apartment-like home are that your neighbors are above and below you unless you're living on the very top floor. What are the other disadvantages of living in apartment buildings?

I'm asking because I really, really hate where I'm living now because there isn't any privacy whatsoever and the neighbors are from hell. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I live in a high-rise so only the neighbors on the side bother me (it's cement above--hardly hear anything).

Disco Sucks! It has that boring beat and my neighbor has it on from the minute he comes home to the minute he goes to bed. Grrr!

But there are advantages, it is much safer than a stand alone house, you are just one of many. the privacy issue doesn't bother me, I don't care if someone knows I took a shower. Although I am conscious of taking one so late or early that it bothers them.

I would prefer living in a home but there is too much upkeep.

Also, in a condo, charges come up without your control. When I first moved in here, I had to purchase new windows, which cost me $8,000 whether I wanted them or not. It turned out nice because the electric bill is much less and they are more soundproof. I had 2 years to pay for it so it wasn't that horrible.

wow didn't know I had so much to say on the subject.

Answer 2

You must live in a really snoopy neighborhood if they know when you are having a bath! A house has more responsibility you need to take care of a garden, the whole outside, cleaning gutters, etc and do your own repairs or hire someone. Someone calls a house a hole in the ground you throw money into. But on the plus side you do have a garage for storage, you paint the walls any color you wish, you don't have to worry how many holes are in the wall and you normally get a fireplace which is very nice in the winter.

An apartment you don't have to maintain the outside at all. Any repairs are done by the landlord. You usually have to share laundry facilities unless its a large apartment. Your neighbors are hecka closer than a stand alone house and you can hear their music which can be totally annoying. You normally don't get a garage to store stuff but an open carport which can leave your car open to vandalism. But if its month to month you can leave whenever you want to and not have to keep theplace pristine for people to walk through during a sale since they usually show the apartment after you move out. But there is no tax advantage at the end of the year if you rent. So its whatever really makes YOU happier.

Answer 3

The differences between apartment living and single family dwelling have to be weighed by the person making the decision. I am looking for a place to stay after moving to a new city and accepting a new job. I have seen the rent on a SF residence are much higher than an apartment complex. I'm still living in a motel room until something shows up and that is both expensive and crowded.

Answer 4

sounds like you live in a row house. if your going to move try to find a house with some space between you and neighbor. The common walls sound like your problem.