What Type of Rental Housing is Best for You?
There are many different types of rental housing available, including:
Apartments: Management companies, called property managers, are the typical owners of apartment buildings. Many own numerous buildings around the city, province and country. Apartment buildings range in condition, from new condo-looking buildings, to buildings that aren’t fit for people to live in – but they do (aka slumlords). On average, most apartment buildings are on the old side, but are in reasonable condition, fit for anybody to live in. Most of the rental units available in any city are in apartment buildings owned by property managers. The benefits of living in these buildings is that they’re well maintained, the superintendent lives in the building so any problems are seen to relatively immediately, you’ll have your choice of location around the city and these buildings fit all budgets. Apartments usually have a mix of bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom units and usually have parking spaces available for an extra cost.
Condos/Lofts: Condos and lofts are are typically owned by an individual. (vs. a property manager). In general, condos are nicer and typically more expensive than apartments. Condos have the same range of rooms as apartments and are typically all high-rise buildings. Lofts differ in this area, as they are essentially one large room in a mid-sized building. Condos usually have security guards – an element only the higher-end apartments have. As condo owners are individuals, the response to problems can vary. Some condos have parking included in the price – a difference from many apartments.
Houses: Depending on the area, houses may be a considerable rental option in the form of a room, floor, basement, duplex, or an entire house. If you’re looking for character and want to live as part of neighborhood, a “house” is your best option. Like condos, houses are owned by an individual so the condition can vary along with the response to any problems and questions. Many of the cheapest rental options in an area, especially in prime areas are basement apartments in houses.
Co-ops: Co-op housing is member-controlled housing. The members who live in a co-op are the ones responsible for running that co-op. Each member has a vote and every year members elect a Board of Directors from the membership. Housing co-ops are in every neighborhood in any city. A co-op can be a medium size apartment building or townhouses. People who live in co-ops come from every walk of life. Co-ops can provide affordable housing for people with moderate incomes. Rents in housing co-ops are often lower than the regular rental market. This is because Co-ops are non-profit organizations. If there are housing charge increases, they usually reflect true costs, not profit margins.
Campus residences: Campus residences are for students, and can be located both on- and off-campus. This type of accommodation offers many conveniences for students, including furnished premises, proximity to campus, relatively cheap rent and frequent catering facilities as well as access to other amenities and services. Most university campuses have associated residences. Information on this type of accommodation can generally be found by contacting the university's Student Housing Office on campus or on the university’s website. Be aware however, that the demand for this type of accommodation often exceeds the total availability.
In every city, there are numerous rental housing options available to residents. Where an individual ultimately chooses to lives is choice based on lifestyle, location and cost.
Apartments: Management companies, called property managers, are the typical owners of apartment buildings. Many own numerous buildings around the city, province and country. Apartment buildings range in condition, from new condo-looking buildings, to buildings that aren’t fit for people to live in – but they do (aka slumlords). On average, most apartment buildings are on the old side, but are in reasonable condition, fit for anybody to live in. Most of the rental units available in any city are in apartment buildings owned by property managers. The benefits of living in these buildings is that they’re well maintained, the superintendent lives in the building so any problems are seen to relatively immediately, you’ll have your choice of location around the city and these buildings fit all budgets. Apartments usually have a mix of bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom units and usually have parking spaces available for an extra cost.
Condos/Lofts: Condos and lofts are are typically owned by an individual. (vs. a property manager). In general, condos are nicer and typically more expensive than apartments. Condos have the same range of rooms as apartments and are typically all high-rise buildings. Lofts differ in this area, as they are essentially one large room in a mid-sized building. Condos usually have security guards – an element only the higher-end apartments have. As condo owners are individuals, the response to problems can vary. Some condos have parking included in the price – a difference from many apartments.
Houses: Depending on the area, houses may be a considerable rental option in the form of a room, floor, basement, duplex, or an entire house. If you’re looking for character and want to live as part of neighborhood, a “house” is your best option. Like condos, houses are owned by an individual so the condition can vary along with the response to any problems and questions. Many of the cheapest rental options in an area, especially in prime areas are basement apartments in houses.
Co-ops: Co-op housing is member-controlled housing. The members who live in a co-op are the ones responsible for running that co-op. Each member has a vote and every year members elect a Board of Directors from the membership. Housing co-ops are in every neighborhood in any city. A co-op can be a medium size apartment building or townhouses. People who live in co-ops come from every walk of life. Co-ops can provide affordable housing for people with moderate incomes. Rents in housing co-ops are often lower than the regular rental market. This is because Co-ops are non-profit organizations. If there are housing charge increases, they usually reflect true costs, not profit margins.
Campus residences: Campus residences are for students, and can be located both on- and off-campus. This type of accommodation offers many conveniences for students, including furnished premises, proximity to campus, relatively cheap rent and frequent catering facilities as well as access to other amenities and services. Most university campuses have associated residences. Information on this type of accommodation can generally be found by contacting the university's Student Housing Office on campus or on the university’s website. Be aware however, that the demand for this type of accommodation often exceeds the total availability.
In every city, there are numerous rental housing options available to residents. Where an individual ultimately chooses to lives is choice based on lifestyle, location and cost.