Note: This is a guest post from Julia Ubbenga of Rich in What Matters.
Lately I’ve been happily fielding a not-so-surprising question: “Why are you raising your family in a 1,000-square-foot apartment?”
Well, actually, the question usually sounds more like, “Aren’t you looking for a house?”
While we certainly could be house hunting if we wanted, the truth is, we don’t have the desire. We did the live-in-a-house thing for three years before moving to our current apartment. And we aren’t in a hurry to get back to that lifestyle.
Yes, we realize it’s a bit countercultural. In the US, 80% of the population prefer to live in a single family home, while only 70% actually do. Meanwhile, apartment and condo living is preferred by only 8% of the population, yet 17% of Americans do live in an apartment or condo.
In European countries, however, apartment living is more common. In Spain, for example, 65% of the population live in apartments.
Clearly, choosing an apartment over a home is not the “American norm.” So why do we love being in that 8%? What’s the draw to apartment living? I think many people don’t even stop to consider the benefits.
Here are 7 reasons why we love apartment living and you will too:
1. Simplicity
Apartment living is a simpler way of living, which translates to a happier, lower-stress life. A simpler lifestyle provides the space to figure out what matters most and the freedom to focus on these things.
Some people may love fixing up their home, and that’s great. But if that’s not how you feel called to spend your gift of time, then apartment living will free you from those obligations that come with owning a house.
Instead of spending your weekends on home maintenance projects or mowing a yard, you can take your kids to the park and the pool. You can relax more and even nap more (yes!) without thinking about things that need done around the house.
This is not lazy living, just the opposite. It’s intentional living that focuses on what you believe matters.
2. Less stuff
A smaller space simply can’t fit a lot of material things in it. It’s minimalist by design. This reality forces you to edit your life constantly by making decisions about what stays in your home.
If you let clutter pile up, you quickly lose living space. In a smaller space, you’re not tempted to buy more furniture or other “toys” because you just don’t have a spot for them. When new things do come into your home, other things have to leave. You quickly learn the feel of “enough” in your home and become motivated to maintain this balance.
3. Connection
Connections thrive in smaller spaces. These connections could be within your family, your faith, or even to yourself. With less home to care for, family time, prayer, and self-care can become a daily theme, not a side note.
An apartment’s smaller space allows families to be more present for one another. This leads to more connection and more shared experiences.
You will talk more, play more, and do more together because you’re closer together in proximity (although apartments are still big enough to allow breathing room when needed).
4. Community
Apartment complexes come with a built-in community. Many have weekly activities or a clubhouse where people often meet. This can be beneficial, especially for stay-at-home-moms (or those of us who work from home).
A face-to-face, adult conversation is always easy to find, which can be a very welcome thing during a day spent taking care of kiddos and a home.
Feelings of social isolation are hard to come by in apartment complexes. Befriending elderly neighbors can be especially rewarding. The memories they share are almost always about family and experiences—not stuff. Hearing stories from their lives will remind you to slow down and keep a big-picture perspective on life.
5. Financial flexibility
Apartment living helps shape your spending around the lifestyle you feel most called to. If your family values relationships, traveling, health, and generosity, but your finances are going toward home projects and repairs, then you won’t be able to focus as much on those values.
Consider if the trade-offs make sense. Instead of saving up for a new roof, you could travel to see family out of state multiple times a year. Instead of redoing your flooring, you could have frequent nights out with your loved one. Instead of repairing your basement’s foundation, you could invest in your health by eating organic, real foods. Instead of renovating your kitchen, you could donate to a cause you’re passionate about.
6. Contentment
Happiness is found in being true to yourself and your values—not someone else’s. Studies also show time and time again that more possessions don’t ultimately make us happier. Although many people may pursue the “American Dream” (a bigger home, more stuff), they don’t report being any happier for it.
Raising your family in an apartment also instills this in your children. As your children observe your family’s lifestyle, they will realize that you don’t have to do what everyone else is doing or live the way everyone else is living to be happy.
7. A tidy home
Any living space requires upkeep. Apartments, by design, are easy to keep tidy. Less space means less to clean in less time. When cleaning doesn’t seem overwhelming, you’ll be more motivated to do it. And the peace that comes from a clean, uncluttered living space will motivate you to maintain this feel in your home.
Home maintenance systems are also easy to implement. Consider laundry, for example. When your washer and dryer are only steps away, you’re much more likely to stay on top of laundry than if you had to descend two sets of stairs to wash your clothes. Being in close proximity to your daily chores increases the chance you will do them.
We realize that apartment living isn’t for everyone. But for us, a minimalist lifestyle in a 1,000-square-foot apartment leads to more joy, more fulfillment, and more family togetherness.
Our home has never been tidier and our family is thriving in this simple, manageable environment.
If you’re looking for a way to simplify your life and focus on what matters most, why not give apartment living a try?
It’s not the American norm, but it could just be the right lifestyle for you.
***
Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog, Rich in What Matters. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City apartment home with her husband and two extremely lively young daughters.
MamaSquirrel says
After living in a variety of situations, including a large apartment building, I agree with both the article and the commenters: there are pluses and minuses about any living situation. Small is nice, cleaning is easy, and being able to lock your door and go is great if you like to travel. But I agree with one commenter that rent increases can take an increasingly big piece of your housing budget. Also agree that noise can be a problem, both hearing it from others and trying not to make any yourself.
One negative point that I don’t think has been mentioned is that if you live with other people (family members, roommates), and someone wants to entertain or host a committee meeting, the others have to make themselves scarce.
Another negative you have to be prepared for is that elevators don’t work (or are off-limits during fire drills), water goes off, etc. etc., and often it’s hard to get information about what happened or when things are expected to be fixed. If your unit is several floors up and you’re not able to handle the stairs, you may end up being stuck either up or down at inconvenient times.
Also you have to check the fine print (and beyond) when it comes to attractive building amenities. Examples: “guest suites” that are booked way into the future; party rooms that require a large damage deposit; exercise rooms that don’t allow teenagers (when your teenager is the only one who wants to use the room). If you’re renting because of some special option, make sure that it’s still functioning and/or doesn’t require extra fees and/or is accessible to the person who wants it.
Kirk B. says
Perhaps the happy in-between place would be a condo or townhouse. Yes they have expenses and HOA fees are common but you do have something of real value that will likely grow in value. Better quality apartments will generally be more expensive than a mortgage and you get no tax benefits from mortgage interest.
Stephany L says
Reasons against apartment living:
1. No control over neighbors, noise levels, or hobbies. Do you like hearing bongo drums or bagpipes at 11 pm?
2. Management company decides to market as a luxury complex after the last rent hike two months ago and now your rent is $600 more/month.
3. Pool and parks closed indefinitely because of maintenance or someone else’s recklessness.
4. Bathtub from apartment above overflows and destroys your stuff when the ceiling caves in.
Amanda says
The upstairs neighbor in my last apartment didn’t put up a shower curtain. My ceiling didnt collapse but it did start “raining” inside!!!! He was a bazaar neighbor…
David Ellis says
I’ve lived in apartments from time to time when moving for jobs. I’ve also owned homes. I do not believe that renters have an inclination to invest in their community with their time when they live in an apartment to make the community better. After 12 months they will live elsewhere. As a home owner I dislike the traffic that apartments create with 2-3 cars per apartment (witness the exit of an apartment complex between 7-9 am every morning).
Another concern I have if from a faith perspective. I believe that apartments allow behavior that is marginally acceptable to society and remains anonymous because of the high move rates of many apartments (California and Texas experience). Some of this becomes criminal when the rate of rape, child abuse and molestation increase in anonymous settings. My own observation and opinion, after 40 years of adult experience. Some may disagree.
Cliff Donaldson says
I really enjoyed this “outside the box” perspective. I’ve often mused on how much of my time and money get spent on home maintenance vs things and people I’d rather be investing in. Thanks for collecting and articulating my random reflections for me!
Meryam says
Reasons against :
– You never know who are your neigbors, a bad neignbor car ruin your daily life ;
– You don’t control noise levels
– Your kids can’t play loudly and freely
– Sometimes, you can have maintenance issues related to problems in the other houses
You can still have the same benefits from a small but independent house
Jean McEntire says
For these same reasons, we love our RV lifestyle with several additional advantages: WHEELS and more outdoor living.
Jean McEntire says
These same reasons explain why I love our RV lifestyle. It has several other advantages: WHEELS and outdoor living.
Sarah says
I love your idea.?
Cathy says
reasons against
1. good apartments are expensive – often more than a mortgage
2. no equity, never ‘paid for
3. noise levels
4. potential bug infestations from neighboring apartments
5. price hikes at the complex’s whim
Tara C says
After the miserable experience of Covid confinement in a small urban apartment, I’m planning to sell and move to a house in the country where I can enjoy nature without being confronted with hundreds of other people in daily life. I’ve already simplified and pared down my stuff.
Gloria V says
Sounds like i what I want. A small place in a sparsely populated area in the mountains.
Stephany L says
A friend of mine had to make that move when their rent was raised 2x in 9 months. Over $800 more when it was done. They now live in a small town in Idaho.
Tina says
I read many comments. We live in a condo. It is quiet. We have our own laundry room and a large kitchen. When we owned a home, our basement flooded every time it rained. The electric power went out. We always heard the neighbors. There was a local crazy woman. My neighbor had the police out several times because this woman broke into garages and spread garbage around. One neighbor had huge parties every week until very late at night. I like our condo. The utility bills are much smaller, too.