Moving from a House to an Apartment



Moving from a House to an ApartmentYou may live in a house now, but would apartment living make sense for your next place to live?  People move from houses to apartments for a variety of reasons.  They may be moving to a city where houses are extremely expensive and apartment living is the norm.  They may be looking for a smaller, more intimate space, or they may be eager for the social opportunities of an apartment community.  Whatever your situation, here are some tips to consider if you’re thinking of moving out of a house and into an apartment.

How long do you plan to stay?
Assess how long you plan to stay in your next space.  Your career might make apartment living a smart choice if ease of movement is a priority.  Even though buying a house can earn you some tax breaks, it may make sense for you to rent in a living situation that you anticipate will last two years or less.  Even if you’re planning a long-term move, you may need the flexibility of a short-term apartment lease to allow you plenty of time to find the house you want to purchase.

Apartment living might better fit your lifestyle
Don’t forget to consider the differences between house and apartment living.  If gardening and lawn care do not really fit your lifestyle, living in an apartment community where these chores are taken care of for you may be a selling point.  Apartment living tends to be more social than living in a freestanding house; consider, for instance, whether your music listening habits will become uncomfortable with neighbors a wall away.  This proximity to your neighbors may be an issue to consider if you are accustomed to the extra privacy a house affords.

Making the transition
If you decide renting an apartment makes sense, realistically assess how your current living situation will change.  You may be moving into a smaller space:  are you prepared to downsize?  If you currently have a basement or attic, it may make sense to look for apartment communities that offer storage space or have rentable storage space nearby.  Also, try to find an apartment community with amenities that will match those you currently love about your house.  If you’re fond of your backyard, for example, look for apartment communities with jogging trails or community gardens. 

Even if you’re acquiring more space in an apartment move, you might want to assess whether to get rid of some possessions or possibly store them elsewhere for a future house.  You probably won’t need a lawn mower or leaf blower in an apartment, for example.  Decide whether appliances such as your refrigerator should be sold, stored, or kept with the house.  When you make the actual move, label boxes carefully, as items that previously went in one room of a house may belong in a different room in an apartment.  It may help to designate one part of the apartment as the place to put boxes that don’t have an obvious home.

A move from a house to an apartment can be a liberating one.  Keep your needs in mind as you consider the reasons why you might choose an apartment over a house.  You’ll want your decision to reflect the happy, settled home where you see yourself living.

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Readers Poll

Do you plan to move yourself or hire a moving company to assist you?

  • Move myself by renting a truck (63%, 15 Votes)
  • Move myself without renting a truck (21%, 5 Votes)
  • Hire a moving company to help (16%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 24

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