Apartment Living Issues
By Jennifer Lai, About.com Guide to Apartment Living / Rental
Living in an apartment comes with its own set of experiences. For renters, there's landlords, roommates, and renters insurance. For those in a communal setting, like co-ops and condos, there's the challenge of living comfortably in a small space so close to your neighbors.
Moving In
Moving in to an apartment is different from a house. You'll typically have less stuff, less space to carry up that huge couch, and—since many apartments are in dense urban areas—less street space for parking your moving truck.
Small Space Living
Apartment living means living large within the confines of minimal square footage. Making the most of your space is an art form, but one that can be easily learned. Here, you will find tips and strategies on living the lifestyle you want within your apartment.
Living With Roommates
Roommates are someone to split expenses with and a companion for late-night snacking. But they also may have different lifestyles than you or different spending habits.
- How to Divide the Rent Fairly
- Quiz: How Clean of a Roommate Are You?
- Assign Chores to Each Roommate
- How to Live With a Messy Roommate
Apartment for One: Living in a Studio
With one or two rooms to accommodate eating, sleeping, and living needs, studio renters must be creative about organizing and maximizing their diminutive real estate.
Your Neighbors
After lack of space, your neighbors may be the second most challenging part of living in an apartment building. Learn how to manage living so closely to your neighbors, deal with inconsiderate ones, and be a good neighbor yourself.
Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is a must for all renters. Relatively inexpensive compared to other insurance policies, renters insurance will protect you should your belongings get stolen or destroyed by events, such as a fire.
The Landlord
Landlords are large in their reputation and wide in their diversity. A landlord can be a person renting a spare room or a second house; or a corporation with many properties. Landlords often come with a slew of personnel to help him or her manage his rentals: property managers, superintendents, and doormen.
Controlling Pests
When unwanted guests visit your apartment, your home can stop feeling like, well, yours. Protect yourself by following these tips on preventing and controlling pests.
