Before you even begin to search for a home, the question arises: should you get a house or an apartment? For many people, this is not even worth discussing; it’s one or the other. However, the decision is not so easy to make and many objective factors come into play. Here is a short summary of the main factors that you should consider.

Two lifestyles

Although every situation is different, the choice of a house or an apartment essentially depends on your lifestyle. Apartments, located mainly in urban areas, are suitable for those who love being close to things, shopping on foot, going out… and not having to take the car for short daily trips. They are also preferred by those who like to maintain close neighbourly relations and don’t mind proximity to other households, in particular with regard to everyday noise. For their part, houses, which are often located in rural areas, will meet the expectations of those who need tranquillity and are not afraid to take the car every day, because of the common scarcity of public transport in those areas. Similarly, handymen and gardeners may love taking care of their house, while those who dislike manual work will rejoice of the fact that their apartment will save them having to do these chores. That said, a townhouse will not bring you the same advantages as a house in the countryside, and the same is true for an apartment located in a rural area. It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of both.

Costs

Their different situations mean that it is difficult to accurately compare the price per square meter of houses and apartments. That said, although they are initially less expensive, houses certainly generate more costs per square meter over time. Heating, for example, is a much larger expenditure item for houses than for apartments, and will essentially double your electricity bill, especially if your insulation is poor. In fact, apartments will allow you to “piggy back” from the neighbouring apartments to heat a part of your living space. In addition, the general maintenance of a house is not distributed over several living spaces, as is the case in an apartment building. This requires better management of predictable work, such as the renovation of the façade every 10 to 15 years, as well as flexibility for expensive but unforeseen expenses, such as a malfunctioning boiler or a leak in the roof that needs to be sealed. The cost of repairs and major work for houses is easily double the costs that would be incurred in an apartment. What’s more, houses are more often targeted by thieves because of their greater accessibility through their many windows and doors, as well as because of their discretion. As such, insurances for houses are more onerous, and it may be necessary to install an expensive alarm or monitoring system.
Local taxes will be higher for houses, as the calculation takes into account annexes to the living space, such as the garden, garage, etc.

Arguments on a case by case basis

Stairs are often cited as a major drawback in multi-storey houses. Some prefer an apartment in a building with a lift, but it is important to consider the impact that this has on the cost of rent. Parking space will also be a decisive factor in your decision: your ability to park at your doorstep, if you have your own house, and especially if you are carrying a heavy load, tilts the balance for many people who imagine having to make three round trips up the stairs to their fifth floor apartment. As such, it is not advisable to acquire a house that does not have a garage or parking space!
Noise pollution is often mentioned as a drawback of apartments. Beware though, some suburban houses are prey to the same kinds of disturbances. Finally, some people prefer stylish city apartments to the suburban housing environment which they deem “charmless.”

Costs, fees, neighbourhood, and most of all desires and lifestyle should all be considered before deciding on the question: house or apartment?