Search Articles

Find tips, tools and how-to guides on every aspect of property

What nobody tells you about apartment living

test

Living in an apartment is par for the course for many of us, especially if you’re a city dweller. And there are many things nobody tells you about apartment living, so let me give you fair warning.

If you’re considering moving from a house to an apartment sometime soon, this is what you’re in for.

1. Things that go bump in the night

When I say ‘things’ I mean ‘people’. Specifically, your neighbours.

If you’re in an apartment complex, the walls can be paper-thin. And if your neighbours are the noisy type, if you know what I mean… well, let’s just say you’re in for restless sleep.

Bed time may not be so silent in apartment living. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Not only is noise an issue, but air pollution, too. In my old apartment, I could smell the fumes every time my neighbour lit up his special cigarettes.

2. What’s a dining room?

City apartments come with this cute space that agents like to call an ‘open plan living and dining room’. But truth be told, there is no space for a dining table.

It’s wise you purchase a stable table for your lap prior to moving because all meals will be consumed on your sofa in front of the TV.

Don’t feel like you’re missing out, though, most of us in homes have dining tables and still eat in front of the TV.

Who needs a dining room when you can eat on a sexy statement sofa? Picture: Nelson Alexander

3. Good luck finding your car

Parking around your apartment building is likely to be non-existent. Or if there are spaces, there are some cunning residents whose cars never seem to move from them.

It’s likely you’ll spend up to 20 minutes finding a parking spot every evening when you get home from work.

And in the morning, locating your car will be a job for Detective Benson and the rest of the crew from SVU. Congratulations, you’re a victim of apartment living.

With double stacker parking, there is nothing inconvenient about living at 209/66 McLachlan Avenue, Darlinghurst. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

4. Emptying the bin: It’s a journey

Living in an apartment complex has so many perks, but the journey to the bin room is not one of them.

In the harsh cold of winter, possibly when it’s raining, you’ll be left with no option other than to trek the ’14km journey’ to the bin room.

Only because the chicken you threw out days ago is now reeking out the apartment. And only because you ran out of air freshener to mask the smell.

READ: A beginner’s guide to composting at home

If you’re not going to empty your bin daily, consider buying a large and fancy one like the butterfly step bin from Howard’s Storage World. Picture: Erinna Giblin

5. You might see a naked neighbour, but it’s never the one you want

If you live in an apartment that faces others in the complex, a time will come when you may catch a glimpse of life inside your neighbour’s place.

The unfortunate part of this story is that the ones who leave their blinds open and strut around naked are never the ones that should leave their blinds open and strut around.

Full-height curtains are an effective and good-looking way to block out any unwanted views. Picture: Denise Braki/Temple & Webster, Styling: Adam Powell

Things will get even more awkward when they lock eyes with you, you lock eyes with them, and you’re trapped in the world’s most intense moment of apartment-living doom.

This article was originally published as What nobody tells you about apartment living by www.realestate.com.au and is written by Chris Caroll.

Disclaimer: The information is provided for general information only. iProperty.com Malaysia Sdn Bhd makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information, including but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the fitness for any particular purpose of the information to the fullest extent permitted by law. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate, reliable, and complete as of the time of writing, the information provided in this article should not be relied upon to make any financial, investment, real estate or legal decisions. Additionally, the information should not substitute advice from a trained professional who can take into account your personal facts and circumstances, and we accept no liability if you use the information to form decisions.

More Articles