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As per recent survey, the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco was $2,500 per month. In such situations, people believe that the best course of action is to rent a room rather than an apartment. So, if you’re among those looking for rooms for rent, you’re probably doing this to save money for your other financial commitments. To make the room search process easier and faster for you, find rooms for rent near you now with Cirtru.
Money-saving aside, when you’re given a choice between an apartment and rooms for rent, choose an apartment if you prefer your own company, a peaceful environment, and value privacy. The rent may be a bit steep, but you’ll have the place to yourself, can set your own rules, and take your own decisions without having someone breathing down your neck at every moment.
Let’s explore some valid reasons why you might want to go for an apartment and not a rental room:
- Use the space as you see fit
When you have your own space, you can keep things anywhere without having to worry about whether you’ll still find it in the same place once you’re back home. Since you’re the only one living there, there’s no question of anyone borrowing or stealing from you, using what rightfully belongs to you, or you’re entitled to use or consume as well, like the TV or food from the refrigerator. You may not have the same luck in a room for rent.
- Get your privacy
You don’t have to be on your guard in your apartment in terms of what you wear or who you talk to, and what conversations you have with people. We all prefer privacy in every aspect of our lives, and living in an apartment offers you that. When you’re able to candidly express your opinions and ideas without being judged or hurting someone, it is very liberating. It’s difficult to find that in a room for rent.
- Be socially free
When you have a roommate, except for your rooms, the rest of the space is common and needs to be shared. However, this poses restrictions in terms of when you can invite your friends over and how many you can invite to your place, without encroaching on the space that your roommate also has the right to use. With an apartment, who you invite, when you invite, and how many you invite, are things you can work out with your landlord if you foresee a problem.
- Be financially free
When you have a roommate, there are expenses, apart from the rent, which need to be split and paid for by the two of you. Concerns such as receiving late paychecks or not having the funds to make the essential payments can be avoided because you’re the only one paying for what you use or buy. The sense of dependency that comes with living with a roommate, particularly when paying bills, is done away with altogether.
While apartments have their own set of benefits, we mustn’t disregard what we’re likely to gain by living in a room rental. It’s a given that renting a room is a much cheaper option than getting an apartment, specifically for rental markets in cities like San Francisco and New York. For instance, in 2017, apartments in San Francisco were available for $3000 or more, while a room for rent was available for $1800. The room rent isn’t cheap but is a lot less compared to the apartment rate. In other words, you could get an entire apartment in several other cities at the room rate in San Francisco four years ago! So, it’s crucial to compare rates between apartments and rental rooms before deciding the way forward.
Source: Pixabay
Additionally, as stated earlier, getting a room for rent involves sharing common spaces like the kitchen and the bathroom. This isn’t an issue we haven’t dealt with before. While growing up, we had to live with our families, and had to figure out when and how long we needed to use the bathroom so that others could have access to it. Likewise, when we respect people and give them the space they need without them asking for it, we make it work.
Since we’re talking about respect for others, we need to keep in mind our habits and the adverse impact they’re likely to have on others. Leaving unwashed dishes in the sink, or clothes in the washer, or even taking our time in the bathroom, speaks volumes about our character and the instilled values in us. It’ll be impossible for someone to share space with us. Therefore, before getting a room for rent, take some time to reflect on how accommodating, patient, and flexible you’re likely to be when living with a stranger. It might be worthwhile to add that it works both ways, so you might want to mull that over as well to get an idea of how much you’re willing to put up with.
Another point of consideration is the facilities that come with the property you want to rent. Most apartment complexes today have pools, gyms, and other amenities for their residents. Such amenities are unlikely to be found in a room for rent, or there could be an exception. For example, if you rent a room in a house, the family living there may be kind enough to let you use their pool or basketball court.
Last but not least, it’s of utmost importance to consider the safety and security of your rented apartment or room before you decide which one works for you. You may have everything you could think of, but if you don’t feel comfortable in the space you occupy, the very purpose of finding a place is defeated. If you live in an apartment, you have a lock on your front door and decide who to let in. On the other hand, security in a rental room in a house is limited because you can only lock your room and have no control over who enters and leaves the home.
Finally, it’s imperative to not just think about the financial constraints you may have when renting an apartment as opposed to a room, but also ponder over your personality and behavioral issues. Think about how much you’re willing to compromise and adapt, before taking the plunge.
Article submitted by Jane Patrick