Thoughts on Garden Apartments (Lincoln: rent, how much, safe neighborhood)

[B Dawg]

Hey Everyone,

I'm a recent college graduate who lived on the top floor of every dorm/apartment I've lived in so far. I'm looking at apartments in the city (Andersonville, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center) and several garden apartments keep popping up. My instinct is to pass these up, but it seems as though I may be able to get better value for these.

I was curious about your experiences with garden apartments in the city.
What are some factors I should consider before taking one?
How much can I legitimately save by moving into one?
Do I need to worry about bugs/pests, or theft more?

Anything will help! I'm just curious about your opinions and hoping to start a discussion on the pros/cons.

[GreatLakesDrifter]

I live in one, so i'd say i'm qualified to speak on this

Pros:
- In the summer you don't need air conditioning (when it hit 95, it was still a comfy 75 in my apartment)
- Cheaper rent
- Easier bringing groceries and any other stuff you have to haul in because you dont have to walk up any stairs at all
- You don't have to worry about waking neighbors by walking around your apartment

Cons:
- Costs more to keep warm in the winter (related to point #1 above, hot air rises above cool air)
- There are more bugs and stuff (I get a lot of knats and spiders down here and I keep the place clean)
- Not enough sunlight gets in. If you want plants, you will have to get a flouressent grow light.
- As in a ground-floor apartment in a building that has a garden apartment, you hear the neighbor above you walking around, which can be annoying if they work the night shift and you have to get up in the morning!

If you're budget conscious, the pros are good enough to justify dealing with the cons of a garden apartment.

[jessiegirl_98]

I personally like garden apartments. There is a better chance for burglaries, so just check out the safety of the apartment/neighborhood (and windows, etc). You may have to worry about bugs a bit more. The only other real negative is that you may get a lot of street sound, depending on what street you live on.

That being said, I would rent one without hesitation (if it was in a safe neighborhood).

[Avengerfire]

If you own cats they help keep the bugs at bay. If you do not have cats consider getting one or two if you are not allergic to them.

Remember there is a difference between a Garden apartment and a Basement apartment.

A garden Apartment is never more than a couple of feet below ground level. A basement apartment is usually four feet or more below ground level.

I have lived in both.

[Costa Rica Chica]

You have less privacy in a garden apartment, and more street noise.

[Lookout Kid]

Flooding! I've lived in two garden apartments with flooding issues, and I've known others with the same problem. Once place flooded with storm runoff, which is bad enough--but then also flooded with sewage when the sump pump malfunctioned.

Burglaries can also be an issue if you're less than fifteen feet from the ground. You'll want to make sure you have central air, because you really can't leave your windows open or use window units when you're low to the ground (if you're smart).

I'll never live in a garden apartment again.

[Lookout Kid]

Oh, and in addition to bugs there's moisture and mold. I'd invest in a pretty robust dehumidifier.

[GreatLakesDrifter]

Flooded with sewage! Yuck!!

I'm lucky, never had those issues. Also never really needed a dehumidifier, either

[aragx6]

My neighbors have had rat problems in their basement apt.

This doesn't surprise me as I see them hopping around on the condensers near their window when i take my dogs out at night!

[long101]

Im liviing in a garden apartment for the first time right now and I wont do it again. It hasnt flooded yet but there has been some close calls. I hate waking up in the morning with no sunlight. And you really cant keep the blinds or the windows open. I would pay prolly up to another 20% to not have a garden or 1st floor. But thats just me.