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My s/o and I are planning to move in the near future. So far we've only ever lived in rented homes in the suburbs. Where we're planning to move though, looking into it, it seems drastically easier and cheaper to find an apartment than a small rented house so we've been kind of considering it.
However the problems we forsee are numerous. Privacy seems like is a HUGE issue. Do landlords take any sort of soundproofing measures? We don't want strangers to hear everything we're talking about. We also sometimes like to listen to loud music and such, we don't want to have to always be paranoid over volume levels or have to switch to headphones. On the other hand, we're accustomed to neighbors being occasionally too noisy themselves even living in different houses and it seems like this would be amplified. We're also very worried about the much increased chances of a fire happening... do the landlords do enough to prevent or stop them? We'd also prefer not to have to share resources like washing our clothes with strangers in public laundry, or being forced to use a different and likely more expensive internet/phone service (would prefer to transfer our own over instead).
So should we go for getting a cheap apartment or is it better to forget the idea? Any other living arrangement ideas that would be more suitable (duplex/triplex seems slightly better but still apparently more obscure to look for than apartments)? Would like to hear firsthand experience, things to look for in an apartment, etc.
There just is no way to answer your question with a one-size-fits-all answer. If you read through the numerous threads on the forum you'll get a fair idea of all the pitfalls of renting in complexes. What I can tell you from personal experience is that once you're used to living in a SFH and enjoy it, apartment living generally doesn't work. For instance, noise from a neighbor down the street is much more bearable than noise from an adjoining, upper or lower unit connected to yours.
I don't see where the incidences of a fire happening would be any greater in an apartment complex than a SFH. If anything the building/fire codes are stricter for multiple unit commercial buildings than they are for privately owned residences.
So far we've only ever lived in rented homes in the suburbs. Where we're planning to move though, looking into it, it seems drastically easier and cheaper to find an apartment than a small rented house so we've been kind of considering it.
How long do you typically stay at one address?
How long do you expect to remain in this new area?
That's the beauty of renting... you don't have any long term commitments.
You and your s/o are wise to ask questions and be as proactive as possible!
My experience of renting apartments:
Do landlords take any sort of soundproofing measures? This will depend on how the units were built, common walls, etc. Some complexes have the 10-10 rule (no loud noises between 10 p.m. - 10 a.m.); but you could still end up with neighbors who don't believe in following rules, and there's no guarantee the LL will do anything about it anyway.
We're also very worried about the much increased chances of a fire happening... do the landlords do enough to prevent or stop them? Most landlords impress upon tenants the importance of fire safety; but there is no guarantee that all tenants will be careful. There are complexes that don't allow smoking, but not only smoking causes fires - other causes could be faulty wiring; candles left burning (and maybe a pet knocking a lit candle over); Christmas tree lights; unattended BBQs, kitchen fires, space heaters, etc.
We'd also prefer not to have to share resources like washing our clothes with strangers in public laundry This would not be an issue if you rented an apartment that comes with a w/d, or has w/d hook-ups.
being forced to use a different and likely more expensive internet/phone service Usually it depends on which provider has their service installed at the complex.
So should we go for getting a cheap apartment Just be aware that, as a rule, the lower the rent, the higher the risk of tenants who are not responsible and could care less who they disrupt or how much noise they make. And unfortunately the crime rate could be higher.
You ask if a duplex or triplex would be a better fit. Again that depends on the quality of the structure/soundproofing since you'd still share common walls. Most cases though you'd have a backyard/patio, and some have fences for more privacy. However, in an apartment, many times you'll have either a patio or a balcony.
Who your neighbors are plays the biggest part as far as how quiet it will be, whether it's an apartment, duplex, condo, or even a house. And too, if you rent an apartment and all of the surrounding neighbors are respectful of everyone and don't make a lot of racket; that's no guarantee that a noisy person/family won't move in next door.
As far as what you should look for before renting:
1. Cost vs. your budget
2. What utilities you'll be paying for
3. Floor plan, space, number of rooms
4. Are pets allowed (if you own a pet)
5. Pet deposits and/or monthly pet rent
6. Parking ... is it on a first-come, first-serve basis or will you be assigned a parking spot (and even then someone else may take your spot). Are garages available (either included in the rent, or for a monthly fee)? Are carports available? If so, are they included in the rent?
7. Is it a gated community that may afford more security? (And does the gate lock work properly?)
8. Lighting around the units to help with safety and security?
9. If you enjoy swimming, is there a pool?
10. Is a workout room provided, if you like to workout?
11. Will new door locks be installed (you don't want previous tenants having access to your unit).
12. How is the initial walk-through handled?
13. What is expected when you move out? (Cleaning, wear and tear, deposit return)
14. How your lease is spelled out, what is expected of the tenant, what the landlord is responsible for.
15. Local police departments can provide you with a crime map or incident report to help you ascertain if the complex has a high crime rate (apartment break-ins, auto theft).
16. Is there central heat/ac or just a wall unit? Or is the a/c a window unit?
17. What level and which way is the apartment facing? (This can mean a great deal if you live in a hot summer area.) Upstairs units are warmer than downstairs units. And if the windows face west, the summer sun can raise the internal temp by 10-15 degrees or more, and it's a bear to keep the apartment cool and your utility bill will increase accordingly.
18. How is the maintenance staff structured?
You may not find any apartment that is 100% what you're looking for; but you can always make concessions. Maybe having a list of "Must Haves", "Won't Haves", and "Doesn't Matter" would help when you start checking out various rentals.
Apartmentratings.com can be a good resource, but keep in mind that disgruntled or evicted tenants could be the ones posting bad reviews, or maybe not. And sometimes it's the office staff that post glorious reviews.
It does not sound like you would be happy in an apartment which requires your compromising on all the things you mentioned. You might try for a duplex....where you would have less people to get accustomed to....but forget the multi unit apartment bldg.
If you like to play loud music, do the rest of us a favor and live in a single family home. If you feel you could live without making a lot of noise, try getting a top floor apartment. I lived in the top corner of a renovated building that was built in the 1960's. With the windows closed, it was dead silent, until the new neighbor below got a sub-woofer. However, I have friends who have lived in places with paper thin walls and ceilings. You could hear the phone conversation of the guy next store, and he didn't have a loud voice.
If you like to play loud music, do the rest of us a favor and live in a single family home. If you feel you could live without making a lot of noise, try getting a top floor apartment. I lived in the top corner of a renovated building that was built in the 1960's. With the windows closed, it was dead silent, until the new neighbor below got a sub-woofer. However, I have friends who have lived in places with paper thin walls and ceilings. You could hear the phone conversation of the guy next store, and he didn't have a loud voice.
I agree, no one wants to hear your music.
From what i read, you will not like living in an apartment.
Living in an apartment you have to think a lot, like it's 2am, I really shouldnt vacuum as it will disturb people below and side by side...stuff like that.
you have to realize what tine it is and what you are going to do.
it isnt fair to be stomping around at midnight, or blasting music at 8pm when people are watching TV
Newer apartment or condo developments have better soundproofing than older ones, so you should look into renting a unit in these buildings (but make sure to ask the landlord/developer about how soundproof the walls are). However, it seems that the odds are against you if you want to rent an apartment as far as noise is concerned. No one wants to listen to noise coming directly from next door, and the feeling is mutual for those who will have to listen to your loud music. I think it would be much better for you to rent a small house or a townhouse.
Newer apartment or condo developments have better soundproofing than older ones ...
I disagree generally. Where soundproofing is concerned I'd take an apartment in a good old solidly built brownstone or suchlike any day over the average newer complexes with their reliance on cheap materials and corner-cutting.
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