Just like homes, apartments come in various styles that can suit the needs of many different residents.
These styles range from small studio apartments to full-service luxury condominiums. The cost factor will be an issue for many people who are searching for , regardless if they are looking for a rental home or a rental apartment. Apartments are a more popular rental choice due to availability and cost.
A studio apartment costs less than a luxury condominium, but it may not offer the same amenities and features. However, the cost of an apartment is not the only factor that will affect your decision.
Before you determine which type of apartment is the one for you, a few questions should be answered. For one, what type of living situation do you prefer? Are you okay living between floors, or do you prefer to have less noise and fewer neighbors? Do you need a lot of space, or are you frequently out of your apartment and just need a place to crash? All of these questions and their corresponding answers should be addressed, as they will allow you to select from the following apartment types accordingly.
Types of Apartment Buildings
It may surprise you to learn just how many different types of apartments are available in the United States. They range from studio apartments and condos to walk-up apartments and senior accommodation. Having said that, some areas will have more of one type of apartment than another. Apartments in large cities, for instance, will be wide-ranging in type, whereas smaller cities or towns may be limited to only specific kinds of apartments. However, when it comes to the buildings the apartments are in, there are three main types of apartment buildings that can be found in most places. These are the following:
- A Complex is one large building divided into apartments.
- A Duplex may have originally been a house and has now been separated into two apartments. A duplex can also be one apartment with rooms on two floors.
- Quadruplexes are residential buildings separated into four apartments.
Complexes can differ in what they have to offer. Some have doormen or lobby attendants. Some have elevators, while others do not. Services and features like these can make a big difference as to whether the apartment you are viewing is suitable for you. Make sure you take into account all aspects of the apartment building as much as the apartment itself.
When contemplating apartment building types, consider if the size of a building will be a problem for you or anyone visiting you or living in your apartment. Elevator buildings are usually tall structures, but move-in day can be difficult for current and new tenants alike with a building that has limited elevator space. However, for residents with limited mobility or health issues, access to an elevator is a must. If you prefer added security in a building, you may want to move to an apartment building with a lobby or door attendant. However, complexes with door attendants may be more expensive than those apartments without such amenities, so be sure to consider this factor when comparing prices.
What types of apartments are there?
Perhaps more important than the building is the apartment itself. That is the place you will be making your home, after all. Many people will choose one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments, although some apartment types may offer more living spaces. Different types of apartments offer different kinds of living spaces, and price often depends on location, amenities and features. For example, a studio apartment is more suitable to a single adult than it is to a larger family. There are plenty of other kinds of apartments you can choose though. Here is a helpful list of the different types of apartments you can rent:
- Walk-Up Apartment. This type of apartment is located higher than the ground level of an apartment building and has no elevator. These apartments are no more than a few stories tall.
- Studio apartment. Also known as a bachelor-style apartment or an efficiency apartment, this is suitable for single people who tend to not entertain at home. It is one of the smallest apartments available. A studio apartment is often one space without a clearly defined bedroom. It also does not contain a full kitchen but will usually include a kitchenette, refrigerator and microwave.
- Junior One-Bedroom. This type of apartment is in between a studio apartment and a one-bedroom apartment. Typically, junior one-bedroom apartments have a walled-in space you can use as a bedroom, but it is not shut off from the main living space with a door. Full kitchens are usually contained in these types of apartments.
- Microstudio Apartments. As if studio apartments were not small enough, you can also live in microstudio apartments. They tend to be around 350 square feet and cheaper than many living options.
- One-Bedroom-Plus Den. The size of this apartment is in between a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment. Generally, this means there is one full-sized bedroom and one smaller room that could be used as a den, office or guest bedroom.
- Railroad Apartments. You will not find these apartments everywhere but they are quite common in some areas, like New York, Washington D.C. and Boston. The layout of railroad apartments mimics old railway cars, hence the name. They are long and narrow and usually have no hallways. This means each room is connected to the next by doorways. These apartments are often found in buildings that are five or six stories tall. Seeing as the cramped conditions are not ideal for many renters, they may offer cheaper rent than other types of apartments.
Which apartment should you live in?
Different apartments are suitable for different people. When choosing an apartment, be sure to consider your lifestyle and financial circumstances. You also need to know what you want to get out of your apartment. If you are always on the go and rarely spend time at home, a studio apartment may be your best option. If you find it difficult to walk up staircases, you will want to either live on the ground level or in a building with an elevator. Here are some other things you should consider when searching for an apartment to make your home:
- The view. What is the view like from the windows? You may have found a fantastic apartment, but if the windows look out on to a brick wall, you may feel very claustrophobic. If a good view is important to you, you should consider living on a high level.
- Noise. What is the noise factor like? Make sure you view a potential apartment at different times to get an idea of how much noise you can hear, either from outside noises like traffic or neighbors playing music loudly. If you like peace and quiet and spend a lot of time at home, noise level can be an important factor for if you move in or not.
- Access. What is the access like? Some apartments have their own entrances, whereas ones in apartment buildings will generally not. If you are often in and out of your apartment, or you value your privacy, having your own access from the street to your door can be important.
