Whether you’re an investor or a renter, hunting for an apartment can be tricky—many variables to consider, including location, size, budget, amenities, and availability. It would behoove you to clarify what apartment types would best fit your budget and needs and narrow down your search. You might need to consider variables such as layout, noise, and location within the building into account. This guide will review 10 different kinds of apartments you can choose from.
An apartment is a residential unit within a building consisting of other units. As a tenant, you might want to make a selection that fits your housing budget while simultaneously satisfying your lifestyle.
In the following sections, we’ll define the kinds of apartments shown below:
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Studio
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Loft
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Duplex
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Triplex
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Co-op
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Garden Apartment
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Convertible
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Walk-Up
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Low-Rise
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High-Rise
Studio
A studio apartment is relatively identifiable because its main feature is an open floor plan with a single room. This single room provides the space for the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. You might be very relieved to find out that it is usual for the bathroom to have a separate space for extended privacy.
Typically the most affordable apartment is a studio apartment which can is limited to roughly 500 to 600 square feet often. Studios are more common in markets with dense populations and high living costs. If you have a restricted budget but dislike the concept of an open floor, consider an alcove studio. This variation offers a limited extra separation for the bedroom using an L-shaped partition.
Loft
Loft apartments look like studios because they have one big, open room. However, its distinct appearance and feel are created by high windows, ceilings, revealed brick, and support beams. Typically, Lofts are commercial and warehouse spaces that have been renovated for residential living. Therefore, they’re an excellent match for tenants who love an industrial sensation.
Duplex
If you prefer the feeling of living in a single-family home, the following two apartment types are likely your best bet. A duplex belongs to a single property of two units. Each unit has its entrance while sharing either a wall or a floor. In other words, the two divisions are either parallel, or one is sitting above.
In a few cases, a duplex may have formally been a single-family residence that was later converted into a two-unit property. It’s not unusual for the property owner to live in one of the two units while renting out the other for rental income.
Triplex
A triplex is a duplex with an additional unit. It’s a single property comprising three divisions instead of two. Each apartment will have its own entrance and feature living spaces.
Co-op
A housing cooperative (co-op for short) is an apartment owned collectively by its residents. In this setting, a co-op is known by its financial structure rather than its physical structure. When you decide to live in a co-op, you agree to become a part owner of the complex or building. You are paying co-op dues instead of paying rent. Financial responsibility includes mortgage, upkeep, and maintenance costs. A board of directors usually governs the application process and assigns building rules.
Garden Apartment
Are you someone who prefers a residence surrounded by beautiful natural scenery? Then it would be best if you tried to employ the keyword ‘garden apartment’ while searching through apartment listings.
Garden apartments are set around gardens and green spaces exclusively filled with plants, flowers, trees, ponds, and other natural elements. It is typically smaller, featuring one to three floors with no elevators. Due to the property’s spaciousness, a garden apartment generally is found in rural and suburban neighborhoods.
Convertible
Consider a convertible apartment type if you are worried that buildings such as studio apartments would not offer enough privacy or would be too small. These apartments are generally smaller and more affordable than a one-bedroom.
These apartments feature a separate space partitioned by a partial wall. Typically called “convertible” because you can use that space however to your taste. You could designate it as your office space, bedroom, or even a home gym or second bedroom for a young child.
Walk-Up
You’re likely familiar with this iconic apartment if you have a favorite television show or movie set in New York City. Walk-ups are buildings commonly found in urban neighborhoods and are only accessible by stairs. If you prefer to escape the hassle associated with climbing stairs, you’ll want to disdain walk-up apartments and probably leave them to the silver screen.
Low-Rise
The following three apartment categories make it seem like you’re trying on a pair of jeans.
A low-rise apartment is a building that features a small number of floors, typically within the range of one to five.
Mid-Rise
An apartment building generally falls into the mid-rise category between 5 and 12 floors. notwithstanding a low-rise building may or may not have an elevator, a mid-rise building will usually have one.
High-Rise
The tallest type of apartment building is a high-rise complex. They feature 12 or more floors and may require multiple elevators. Any high-rise building with more than 40 floors is technically a skyscraper, which you might find at the city center of a metropolitan city. You’re most likely to find a high-rise in large cities.
Summary
As a renter, you have many different apartments to select from. Apartment types are determined based on size and layout and the building or complex to which an apartment belongs. The availability of different kinds of rental properties often depends on the neighborhood that you live in. For instance, if you reside in a rural area, it may be unrealistic you expect to find an industrial loft or an apartment in a high-rise. Conversely, a garden apartment or duplex might be nearly impossible to see if you live in an urban jungle. As long as you remain realistic about your location, lifestyle, and budget, you’ll likely find just the suitable apartment for you.