3 Things to Consider When Moving from a House to an Apartment

Guest Post

Are You Considering Moving from a House to an Apartment?

There are many reasons to make a transition to a smaller place, but when downsizing from a house to an apartment, it’s mandatory to keep a few things in mind. Having less space is just one of the most apparent changes, but not the only one. Since apartments are designed with a different purpose in mind compared to houses, there are some other things to consider before your big – or, should we say, small – move.

Preplan and Prepare for Less Space

You’ll have less space everywhere, and that’s a fact. But that doesn’t need to be a problem. Actually, some people look at it as an advantage – it’s an opportunity to live more minimally, and you’ll need less furniture. But still, you’ll need to plan in advance to make it work. You certainly won’t be able to fit all your belongings from the house into a smaller apartment. That means that your first step should be to declutter your home. Start by measuring your new apartment and creating a floor plan for the placement of furniture. Then make an inventory of all the other large items – washing and drying machines, refrigerator, freezer, etc. – and measure them, too. You need to make sure everything will fit in your new apartment. And don’t forget to purge your closet – you’ll also have less closet space, so get rid of the clothes you don’t wear anymore.
Once you’ve decided what to keep you can sell the stuff you don’t need. You can list items on Craiglist, Gumtree, or even Facebook, or you can simply organize a garage sale. So if you’re proactive, you’ll be able to earn some extra cash. What you don’t sell you can always donate or recycle.

Think About the Rent

We know that renting seems like a better choice than taking a mortgage to buy an apartment, but you should think twice about this. With mortgages, you know what you need to pay every month since they’re pretty standard when it comes to costs and taxes. On the other hand, apartment prices are known to fluctuate, which means your rent is more likely to increase during the years. When you consider that every renewal at the end of the year can bring higher prices, the option of getting a loan and buying an apartment seems much more reliable. In case you already have a mortgage for a house, you can use the available (and free) online tools provided by various lenders (depending on your location) that can help you to calculate your equity – the part of the property that’s really yours – and take out another loan for an apartment.

Be Aware of Your Pet’s Needs

If you own a pet, you need to make sure that the apartment you’ve chosen is suitable for your furry friend, too. Few apartments aren’t equipped with ample outdoor space for pets. But there shouldn’t be much of a problem in finding the complex which has a dog park – that would suffice and do the job. Finding a place near nature trails and public parks is even better – that means more physical activity for you, too.

Consider the Neighbors

Living in an apartment means sharing a lot of walls with your neighbors, which could be a big change coming from a house where you weren’t as close to them. Consider the fact that you may have to deal with some neighbor noise such as late night parties. If you stay out of the apartments in the middle of the building – picking a corner one, ideally – there’s a chance you’ll be farther ʽfrom the madding crowdʼ.

As you can see, the change in space is relevant but easily adjustable. What’s probably more important is to make sure downsizing will truly pay off financially. You’ll have more obligations around your pets, and you’ll be a part of tenants’ community, but the benefits of additional physical activity and meeting new people are well worth it.