One of the most significant downsides to living in an apartment is that you live with people you don’t know.
Apartment living gives individuals who may not be outgoing or those looking for their first apartment a chance to have an authentic sense of community.
A sense of community is “a feeling of fellowship with others, resulting from sharing common attitudes and interests” (Webster).
This feeling is often strengthened when people come together for a common cause.
Is owning an apartment more affordable than a home?
Yes, in most cases, buying an apartment is more affordable than buying a home. This is because you are still able to live in your place while paying off the mortgage.
Let’s have a look at how living in an apartment gives a sense of community.
1. Friendliness
You might not know your neighbors living in your apartment building. However, this is an excellent opportunity to meet new people in the same boat as you.
What you have to do is say hello when you see them outside. Making friends with your neighbors because you’re constantly running into them is easy, and they are often out on their balconies or porches.
2. Closeness to others
We all want that sense of security and a feeling of safety in our homes. When you live in the proper apartments, you can often run into your neighbors.
People walk the same path to work every morning. It’s even more common for neighbors to get together when they go on vacation.
Even though you might not know these people, you can feel comfortable inviting them over to your place for a potluck because you live in such close quarters.
3. Sense of accomplishment
People who live in apartment buildings often take care of their exterior.
This means that you make it a point to keep your lawn trimmed and watered; you pick up all the leaves in fall or snow in winter.
You do this because you want to make sure that your apartment is well taken care of.
It will give you a sense of community because you want to keep it clean. People who live in houses often do not care for their exterior, leading to sloppy appearances.
4. Sharing your space
When you live in the proper apartment building, it’s never guaranteed that parking spaces will always be available.
There could be times when you come home late at night, and there’s no parking available, which is frustrating.
ou might not even have a car, but it’s frustrating that you can’t find a space to park your bike.
This frustration can bring people together because they will talk about this issue and how it affects their daily lives.
5. Congregating at a common area
An apartment complex usually has a community room or clubhouse. Sometimes these areas are brand new and look nice; other times, they are older and have a lived-in feel.
It doesn’t matter what your community room looks like because it’s where you might get together with neighbors to play cards, watch TV or just chat.
6. Sharing responsibility
One great thing about apartment living is that you share the cost of utilities with others. Some people in your building might be retired, so they don’t use a lot of electricity.
Others might use heat and energy for cooking meals on their stovetop. There will be times when the electricity bill is high, so you can talk to your neighbors about ways to decrease the cost.
7. Making friends with people of all ages
In an apartment building, people usually get together and socialize. You will have a lot of young people in your building.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet older people who have been living in an apartment for decades.
Some apartment complexes have apartment buildings for young people, which can be a great way to meet new friends.
Although owning an apartment is more affordable than buying a home, you get an even better value if you take advantage of your tight-knit community.
Conclusion
The best part of living in a building with friends and neighbors is the sense of community that comes from sharing common spaces. Whether you’re cooking dinner together, meeting up for a group fitness class, or just hanging out on your apartment patio to chat about the day’s events, there are many opportunities for social interaction among residents at any one time.