What type of apartment is right for you?

What type of apartment is right for you? Before you invest too much time and effort apartment hunting you can greatly facilitate your search by giving some thought to the type of apartment that best suits your needs. Since there are so many listings to search through, it may help to understand what the different types of apartments are and the advantages of each.

The highrise

The majority of modern apartments are located in highrise buildings. Because it’s more economical to build on a large scale, an apartment in a highrise is often a practical and economical choice, in terms of the materials, appliances, finishes and other details you will be able to enjoy for your rental dollar.

Highrise buildings are often situated on main streets and in prime locations, such as major intersections and convenient to public transportation. You can find a great variety of highrise buildings in nearly every possible neighbourhood, many of which have been beautifully renovated, with refinished floors, new carpeting, lighting and new lobby furnishings.

Some highrises have luxurious features and amenities like a concierge, pool, security, fitness facilities, balconies, air conditioning and underground parking – which might be unavailable in a lowrise, duplex or townhouse.

One advantage of a highrise is the opportunity to live in a large community. In a highrise, you’ll frequently encounter other residents in the common areas like lobby, elevator, parking garage, the laundry room and fitness facility. Not only does this offer you a beneficial social network, it can have practical advantages as well. In a highrise you have the potential to meet other people in whose social needs – perhaps a babysitter – might be similar to yours. During an emergency, like a hurricane or blackout, it can be comforting to have a network of support around you.

Low-rise

If you don’t like to wait for an elevator every time you go in and out of your residence, you might prefer a low-rise building. Any building that is three stories or less could be considered a low-rise. A duplex, triplex or fourplex is also a type of low-rise apartment. Depending on the vintage, these types of apartments can be spacious and have a “homey” feeling to them. Some may have beautiful architectural details like fireplaces, tiled floors, paneling or wainscotting.

In a low-rise building you’ll have more privacy and less contact with your neighbours than in a highrise. Of course, you’ll have to carry all of your furnishings, groceries and other packages in and out through the stairs. But the layout and aesthetics might make it worth it.

Loft

A Loft can be an upper room or floor of a large building, converted factory or warehouse building that is sometimes converted into apartments. Lofts are often tucked away above stores, or in the upper levels of commercial buildings. A penthouse apartment with a spiral staircase to a bedroom might also fit the description of a loft.

Loft living has often been romanticized as the ideal home for an artist or a creative person. Because of their unusual nature, they are usually ideal for those who want to live and work in the same space, or live and work in a commercial neighbourhood.

Lofts usually offer an unusual layout or an unconventional space. They may be very industrial and have a rough type of decor - like exposed pipes and ducting, concrete flooring or a garage door or loading dock type of entry. They may be very pretty and have been developed with an unusual style or layout to accommodate the unique needs of its residents.

Condo

A condominium is becoming a very popular rental option. Often with a condo you will be renting directly from an owner, rather than through a professional property management firm.

Condominiums are usually newer buildings than purpose-built rental buildings. The major disadvantage of renting a condo is that when you rent directly from the owner, you are at their mercy, should they decide to sell the unit or move into it themselves. If the appliances or anything else in the apartment needs servicing, you may have to deal with the owner, or find tradespeople yourself.

Townhome

A townhome can be an excellent choice for a growing family. A spacious, multiple level residence, it usually features great storage, basements, backyards and garages. Townhomes are usually set in nice communities with walking paths and landscaped greenspace. Some townhomes feature play areas for young children, walking paths and other suburban enhancements.

Before you start searching, give some thought to the type of apartment that best meets your needs. This will help you to narrow down the possible listings to consider and ensure that you’ll be more satisfied with your choice in the long run.