Should I Rent A Townhouse Or An Apartment?

Nothing on earth could be more prestigious than living in a high-rise unit, with gorgeous vistas of Sydney skyscrapers, or a rambling townhouse, with all the comforts Downtown Abbey could muster, the difference being the grocery store is just a hop away. To single yuppies, townhomes and apartments are the apotheoses of independent living.

As Australians increasingly become city slickers, forgoing the idylls of the countryside for the charms of the CBD, townhouses and apartments are fast experiencing a renaissance of sorts. In metropolises wanting of space, these kinds of propertiesmake it possible for you to live close to your workplace or school.

Apartments and townhomes are leasable: good news if you’re a highly peripatetic worker or student. In fact, the practice of building townhouses began when Britons would go on extended business trips across England and demanded houses in town in lieu of hotels.

Fast-forward to today. Given a choice of a townhouse or an apartment, which would you choose to rent?

Case for townhouse

A townhouse is a medium-density dwelling whose defining feature is a common wall with the building next door, usually another townhouse. In fact, townhouses are known to take up an entire block; think of townhouses as semi-detached houses in a row.

Unlike apartments, townhouses usually have multiple levels. They also have their own front-yard—backyards in some. Some models may even feature garages.

A townhouse is just like a detached house in that it can have as many bedrooms. If you’re lucky, you could find a townhouse already equipped with stainless steel appliances and other fancy schmancy accoutrements.

Governed by homeowners’ associations, townhouses free you from worrying about maintenance work. They free you timethat would otherwise be squandered on pulling out weeds or raking out snow from the driveway. Unless you grew the flowers in the front yard yourself, the burden of such chores is on the HOA—in exchange for monthly dues, of course, whether you’re tenant or owner.

Know that these fees may count toward community projects. If your neighbourhood lacks a pool, for example, you are well within your rights to lobby for its construction.

Occupants of townhouses are more exposed to noise than those in freestanding structures though. With only a wall to separate you from neighbours, the din on their side may go through to you, and vice-versa.

Case for apartment

Apartments, a.k.a. flats, are almost always smaller than townhouses. One apartment unit typically has three bedrooms, although there are one-bedroom apartments known as studios. Otherwise, the standard apartment occupies a single level only.Apartment tenants usually share walkways and hallways, aside from the (hopefully soundproof) walls.

Apartments are usually cheaper than townhouses to rent. If you’re after even fewer obligations, insofar as maintenance and HOA fees are concerned, then an apartment is for you. With an apartment, you’re not liable for defects that can be attributed to wear-and-tear or any event not of your doing. Should a freak wind shatter your window, you are not to take any out-of-pocket expenses whatsoever. However, you can’t just hammer a nail into your wall, nor can you just paint it your favourite colour. One disadvantage of apartment living is the limited freedom where alterations are concerned.

Nevertheless, you would find yourself attracted to apartments for theiramenities. Many apartment complexes are equipped with gyms, pools, spas, laundry rooms, and niceties that would certainly save you some pennies and a car drive.

Heightened security, emergency attention

Price-wise, apartments would always be cheaper than the townhouses. But if you want the feel of a full-fledged house without worrying about the mortgage, opt for the townhome.

Single households, especially those of senior age, would benefit either way. Living in such close quarters means heightened security in the vicinity. Yes, you may enjoy your privacy, but not so much as to prevent neighbours from knowing you are getting murdered or the roof has collapsed on you. If you’re in an emergency, help is more easily available in a townhouse or apartment than a freestanding bungalow in the middle of nowhere. Coupled with the irreplaceable satisfaction of being in proximity to the downtown, such peace of mind can only be found in townhomes and apartments.