Article Navigation
Recent Articles
- Best Cities to Honor Memorial Day
- Hang a Hammock In Your Apartment Space
- Think Big Residential Potential: How to Find a Great Neighborhood
- Take a Segway Tour
- Use Online Tools to Help You Prepare for Your Move
- Living in Lexington, Kentucky
- Get to Know Omaha, Nebraska
- Discover the Dining Scene in Phoenix, Arizona
- Get to Know Annapolis, Maryland
- Chill Out in Key West, Florida
Our Guide to Living Alone in Your Apartment
Living alone in an apartment can be a wonderful experience. No apartment roommate means nobody else’s habits, moods or friends to deal with. But all things require balance, and living alone can have its challenges. Here are some tips for happily living alone in your apartment.
Don’t be a stranger
As nice as it is to have your apartment to yourself, isolation can be a dangerous thing. Many people find it easy to get depressed when they spend too much time alone. We all have different thresholds for “too much,” but make sure that you schedule in plenty of time to get out or to have friends over. When you’re on your own, accidental social gatherings happen less often, so be prepared to initiate get-togethers and force yourself out sometimes, even if you think you’d rather be cocooned at home.
Keep up appearances
Even if no one else is there to see how messy or clean your apartment is, you will feel the difference. Cleaning, decorating, repairing and enjoying your space are necessary steps for healthy living — in mind and body. Keeping a regular schedule for maintaining your apartment also gives your life a more purposeful feel. It can be hard, especially after living most of our lives with others, to get motivated to take care of even basic things in our home. By creating a day-by-day to-do list of chores and projects, your apartment — and your psyche — will stay in shape.
Safety
There are a lot of small details that can help keep you safe when living alone in your apartment. When you move in, you should have all the locks changed. Never hide a key outside your apartment, and if you loan a key to a friend or neighbor you trust to watch your place when you’re not there, be sure that person will keep it safe.
It’s a good idea to have a police officer inspect your apartment for weak spots that might encourage break-ins. Consider entries, lighting, and areas around your apartment of low visibility. Consider kick-proof door jamb armor (with the landlord’s consent) and other hardware fixes that will keep intruders out.
Though you don’t need to be best friends with your neighbors, it’s important to know who is around you and who you can trust in a pinch. Also be aware of the high-traffic times in your building and neighborhood that make it safer to walk, do laundry, shop, etc.
Don’t advertise the fact that you live alone. If you have an answering machine, for instance, be vague about who’s “not here right now.” A “we,” as opposed to an “I,” is a good idea. Or, you can say “no one.” And if your lease allows it, consider getting a dog — great for companionship and security.
Sometimes we find ourselves living alone unexpectedly, after a divorce, a death, a move to a new city, or the unexpected departure of a roommate. Even if you haven’t chosen to live alone, this could become a treasured time in your life. Without the need to look after, worry about, or respond to another person in your apartment, you can give your creativity, hobbies, and meditation time free reign. There will be time to live with others down the line. For now, enjoy the solitude.
One Response to “Our Guide to Living Alone in Your Apartment”
Leave a Reply
Most Popular
Living alone in an apartment can be a wonderful experience. No apartment roommate means nobody else’s habits, moods or friends to deal with. But all things require balance, and living alone can have its challenges. Here are some tips for happily living alone in your apartment. Don’t be a stranger As nice as it is ...
What goes up must come down. And what goes around comes around. Which basically means if you live in a high-rise apartment and take the elevator every day, it’s important to use good apartment elevator etiquette. Read on for some unwritten elevator rules you should follow — or you might end up running into closed ...
Everyone feels lonely sometimes, but these feelings might happen more frequently if you live alone. The good news is that coping with loneliness is possible and, with practice, you can learn to love your alone time. If this is a tricky area for you, here are some thoughts that, though not necessarily easy, still might help. Savor your solitude ...
You’ve got a new apartment in a whole new town, but your new city just doesn’t feel like home — yet! The secrets to settling in to a new place are getting your bearings and making friends. Once you build a few local connections, you’ll really start to feel like you fit in. Here are some hints on ...
Buying a friend that perfect housewarming gift for their new apartment can be tricky, as chances are they don’t have a lot of space to spare. And you run the risk of buying something for their home that doesn’t go with their style. Here’s how to buy a great housewarming gift. Let them pick out ...
When you’re considering renting an apartment, you’ll want to know what to expect from a prospective apartment community. That’s why asking the right questions of an apartment community manager is so important. Ask these questions during your apartment search to ensure that you have a clear picture of what it will be like to live in your ...
If you want to make sure you’re getting the best apartment for your money, you will need to focus on several details. Here are some important apartment features to consider when you are looking for your new apartment. Layout When checking out an apartment, don’t just look at the square footage in each individual room. ...
Like a home mortgage, monthly rent is a serious financial commitment. Before you get in over your head, know what you can afford. Follow these simple steps to calculate how much rent you can afford before you sign the lease. What’s coming in What you make each month will be the biggest factor in what ...
Finding a place to live that is accessible and comfortable is more challenging for disabled apartment hunters. But with an awareness of rights and a clear idea of what is needed in an apartment community, the task can be made easier. If you or a loved one are disabled, you should know that there are a number of laws ...
Not every landlord or management company requires an apartment walkthrough when you move into a new apartment unit, but it’s generally in your best interest to do so. Request one before you move in, if it’s not initiated for you, and check to see that all is well in your new home. If the owner is ...
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
Loading ...
After reading this article, it is okay to live alone and not be so concerned or feel lonely. Living alone truly does have its benefits, which was mentioned in the article. Staying at home when I desire to do so is an awesome feeling. Being able to leave my apartment, and not having to look at a watch, or explain when I will return is great. I would like to meet new people, but I’m suspicious of others being mean or unkind.