Living in an apartment is often seen as part of the journey towards eventually getting to own a home. So, when you end up living in one for longer than society expects you to, it is easy to have some negative feelings about that fact. Which I why I decided to dive deeper into this issue and find out whether it really is embarrassing to live in an apartment.
So, is it embarrassing to live in an apartment? Absolutely not! Living in a big house should never be your sole measure of success. In fact, living in an apartment is often a smarter financial decision to make. You should be proud that you have the foresight to prioritize other more important things in your life.
Take a critical look at your life and identify things that you are proud of. Are your kids happy? Do they do well in school? Do you have a good relationship with your family? Do you feel loved by the people around you? There are so many other measures of success that trying to put the entire concept in a single “money box” is completely shortsighted. When you take a closer look at your life, you will realize that you are not doing so badly after all.
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Expectations vs Reality
Sometimes the goals and expectations people set for their lives often do not match with their realities. Many people today measure their level of success by how much money they have, what kind of stuff they own, and how big a house they live in. This line of thinking often piles the pressure on them to try and buy or build their houses as soon as possible. When this doesn’t happen soon enough, the result is often embarrassment especially when they have no other choice but to live in an apartment.
If you are single, it is actually smarter to live in an apartment as you save for your dream home. If you have a family and are living in an apartment, you have nothing to worry about either. As your kids grow older, they will learn to appreciate the love you gave them and the fact that you were always there for them despite only being able to afford a small apartment. Think back to your own childhood. Would you have preferred to have more loving parents or a bigger house?
There is nothing wrong with living in apartments. Most people actually find such living arrangements young, hip and convenient, and they aspire towards them. If you live in a major city, chances are almost everyone around you also lives in an apartment. So, you have absolutely no reason to be embarrassed about living in an apartment.
Are you a failure for living in an apartment?
Several years ago, owning a house was seen as part of “growing up”. This mentality has largely changed. Everyone has their own priorities in life. In fact, many people do not want to own houses at all. Many of them do not want any of the responsibilities that come with owning a home. Having someone else fix everything for you when they break is liberating. If you find an apartment that is a good fit, there should be nothing stopping you from living there for as long as you want. Which is why anyone who thinks that you are a failure for living in an apartment is simply being absurd.
There are several things you need to look at as you assess your living situation. The kind of building you live in, whether an apartment or a house, is only a small part of a much bigger picture. Once you have a good understanding of these things, you might realize that your situation is actually not that bad.
Few factors to consider as you assess your living situation
1. Affordability
Always go for a house you can afford as opposed to conforming to the status quo just for show. No one should tell you how to provide for your family, and it is no one else’s business the kind of sleeping space you provide for them. Live within your means and you will have a much easier time providing a good life for the people you care about.
2. Maintenance
It is very easy and cheap to maintain apartments. Most maintenance expenses and responsibilities fall on the landlord. This makes them the perfect choice for people who do not have too much time on their hands or those who cannot afford to constantly foot repair bills. Living in your own house means you will have to take care of all repair and maintenance costs, and sometimes even get a little handy yourself by mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, general yard work and basic repairs. Apartments give you an unmatched level of peace of mind and mental freedom.
3. Convenience
Apartments are among the most convenient living arrangements anyone can make. They are often located in urban areas and serviced by a variety of facilities. You may also get amenities such as pools, gyms and laundry facilities right there in the building or somewhere close by.
4. Safety
Apartment complexes usually invest heavily in the safety of their residences. Plus, since you are always surrounded by neighbours, apartments generally make you feel safer particularly if you are a woman, a single parent or if you have a family. You can never get this kind of safety and security by living in a stand-alone house with your closest neighbours being miles away.
5. Community
By living in an apartment, you instantly become part of a community. Apartments encourage the development of connections and friendships, which can be perfect for someone who has just moved to a new city or town.
Still embarrassed to live in an apartment?
Perhaps you just hate sharing a wall with someone else, or you are simply sick of your neighbours. There are several apartment plan options that could dispel some of this embarrassment. For example, you could rent a larger apartment where you have the entire floor to yourself, or if you just don’t like your neighbours, consider moving to a new place. There is always a chance that your neighbours may not be perfect, even when you get a house.
However, if apartments are absolutely out of the question, consider renting a house in a cheap
Set Goals for yourself
Think of your apartment as a starter. Set yourself a goal of where you would ideally like to live and start working towards achieving that goal by breaking it down into smaller manageable bits. Given enough time, you may finally be able to move out of your apartment if that is what you want. Do not concern yourself with where you start from. Instead, think of where you are going.
Keep in mind that people who value you based on the amount of money you have, the vehicle you drive or the house you live in need to be cut out of your life as soon as possible. You do not need such negativity in your life. It may be time to find new friends or people to hang out with.
When you consider all the financial advantages and all the other benefits that apartments have over stand-alone homes, you realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about as someone living in one. In fact, they are great choices for homes for anyone looking to save some money while living comfortably.
Related Questions
- Is it better to rent an apartment or to buy a house? If you choose to buy a house, understand that you will have to pay anywhere from 5 to 10 times more than what it would have cost you to rent a similar space. Although you get to own your own home as a buyer, the financial implications involved with it are far greater. Plus, there are lots of hidden maintenance and upgrade costs that come with buying a house. Renting an apartment is cheaper in every way.
- Am I wasting money by renting an apartment? Choosing to rent is actually a very smart financial decision! Unless you have the money to buy the house, renting will prove very beneficial in the long run. It helps you save money by not tying you down to a single location, and you do not have to spend much on repairs and maintenance. However, as you choose an apartment to rent, try not to rent more space than you need. Renting a bigger apartment than you can use means you will definitely be wasting money.