Apartments vs. Houses

Once you've decided to rent, rather than buy, you still have to choose between a house or apartment. Both have their advantages, a few of which we'll address here.

Like deciding between renting and buying, a lot of it is just personal preference. It's important to put a lot of thought into it and make the decision that's best for you.

Apartment Advantages

  • You don't have to worry about maintenance, mowing the lawn, or other repairs.
  • Some people prefer the community feel of an apartment complex and enjoy the company of other tenants.
  • Certain facilities that you won't find at most houses like tennis courts, fitness centers, pool, etc.
  • Depending on your price range, you may have access to things that you wouldn't with a house, like a gym or swimming pool.

House Advantages

  • Privacy. It's nice to have your own fenced in yard.
  • You build equity with a house, which is usually a good investment.
  • Noise isn't as much of an issue in most cases, which is important for those that frequently use power tools, play a musical instrument, or take on other projects like working on their own cars.
  • Unless you buy a very small house, you generally have more living space than you would in an apartment.

There are a lot of things to consider, so just go by what means the most to you. If you decide on an apartment, it's time to figure out which features are important to you.