How to Survive Condo Living (Without Driving Your Neighbors Crazy)
You came across an ad saying “condo for sale in Parañaque City” and suddenly, you are living the high life near the Philippines’ Entertainment City. Or maybe you ended up within the central business district of Makati or in Bonifacio Global City. Condos have definitely redefined the mode of living in highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila.
But some may say that living in a condo is not as fun as it sounds since you have all these people literally living under one roof. They even say that one should not expect to be able to fully live in peace in a condo setting.
While this may happen in bad condos, there are ways to promote a fun condo living experience with the other residents in mind.
Here are ways to survive condo living without driving your neighbors crazy:
What is Condo Living?
A condominium or condo is a typical housing type where a person owns an individual unit within a complex or a building. However, as condo owners, they share the ownership of the common areas along with the other condo owners.
These condos are very different from apartments, townhouses, or even single-family homes. Unlike townhouses, when it comes to condos, you own a particular portion of a specific property, not the entire land.
Secondly, condos have more amenities than houses. However, these are shared amenities that you will be sharing with your neighbours. If you are a first-time home buyer and probably thinking about downsizing, I’d say condos can be an excellent option.
Condo ownership, as well as renting, also comes with several differences. Regarding maintenance, the condo owners are responsible for any kind of maintenance and repair. However, it is not the same for the renters.
Secondly, condo owners are required to pay taxes, maintenance condo fees, etc., which renters don’t have to pay. Another major factor is that the renters are not required to make a down payment like condo owners. However, they have a fixed amount to pay, which increases yearly.
5 Incredible Ways To Survive Condo Living
Imagine this: you own your own condo, and you are free to do whatever you want, whenever you want, in your own little space. Sounds like a perfect dream, right? Well, condo living is one of the most rewarding goals that you can achieve. It is more like a huge jump that takes you to an entirely new level of adulthood.
However, like any other good thing in life, you must put in the required time and effort that can make things happen.
I know moving out of your parent’s home and living in your own condo can intimidate you. But don’t worry, here are some steps that can help you to survive your condo living.
1. Keep noise at manageable levels
One of the usual concerns for condos is having noisy neighbors. Good condos should actually have enough soundproofing that typical levels of noise should not cause a ruckus so unless you are really loud with your music or with what you are watching, or if you are shouting or laughing way too loud.
If you will do anything that will be a bit noisy, such as assembling furniture or holding a party, make a habit of giving notice to your neighbors.
2. Be a responsible pet owner
There are condos that do not allow residents to bring pets for the reason that some pet owners are not able to keep their pets in line.
So if you are lucky enough to land in a condo that does allow pets, just make sure that you train them well enough so that they’re not noisy even when you leave them alone in the condo unit. Also make sure that you clean up after your pets, especially in common areas to maintain cleanliness.
By being a responsible owner, you will be able to continue enjoying condo living with your fur baby.
Living peacefully in a condo but still having fun starts with you
3. Follow your condo’s smoking policies
Secondhand smoke is dangerous and can be quite bothersome, especially for people who do not smoke. One may think that smoking should be no problem but doing so may lead to your smoke going into your neighbors’ rooms too.
So be mindful of your condo’s smoking policies. There may be a designated smoking area where you can smoke without bothering your neighbors.
4. Enjoy shared facilities responsibly
Condos come with shared facilities and amenities. This ranges from the reception area and the elevators up to the gym or pool. These are meant to be shared with other people so be mindful when using them. Always keep the next user in mind so that you can expect the same level of courtesy from the other residents.
5. Following redecorating rules
Another policy that you should keep in mind is redecorating. You may suddenly want to give your unit a fresh, new look, but this is not something that you should do on a whim.
Usually, you have to let the building’s property manager know what kind of redecorating you will be doing to ensure that these are within the allowed level of construction activity you can do. Your neighbors will also be given notice so that they can plan around the dates where the noise level may be a bit high.
The Major Benefits of Condo Living
Condo living has a lot of benefits to offer. So, as a condo owner, you can leverage:
Low Maintenance Living
Condos always offer the apartment complex benefits such as maintenance as well as security. Moreover, you also do not have to work extra for a house.
Amenities and Shared Spaces
The condos have better access to various amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and community rooms. These amenities and shared spaces can help you to save a lot of money and time. Shared spaces are also helpful in building new relationships with neighbors.
Prime Locations
Usually, condos are located in urban areas. This is why living in a condo is more convenient than the suburban homes.
Security and Privacy
You may find many condos thats come with great security features like gated entry, on-site staff, and surveillance cameras.
Cost-Effective for First-Time Buyers
Condos are more affordable than any kind of single-family home. Moreover, they can be more budget-friendly to heat and cool.
Energy Efficiency
Lastly, condos can be highly environmentally friendly. They are also cost-effective due to the shared walls, modern heating and cooling system, and more energy-efficient appliances.
The Major Challenges Of Condo Living
The desire for condo living and arrangements is continuing to be in high demand in various areas. The benefits are playing a massive role in making the condos more and more attractive. However, there are a few challenges that you may encounter, which I am going to explain in the following,
- Firstly, there have been instances where the condo owners failed to pay their monthly fees on time. This resulted in a considerable number of unpaid dues. Thus, condo fees and assessments can be a significant financing issue.
- Another prevalent issue in condo living is noise disturbances. The proximity between the units and shared walls makes it potential for noise issues.
- The limited space is one of the significant challenges of condo living. This becomes a great concern for individuals who are accustomed to large dwellings.
- Fourthly, condo living comes with significant rules and regulations. Here, the condo owners are bound to pay maintenance and amenities fees, even if they are not using them.
- Lastly, while living in a condo, you cannot personalize the space without permission.
The Condo Lifestyle
Condo living offers you a great sense of community as well as social interaction. These condos often have shared amenities as well as common areas such as clubhouses, rooftop terraces as well as community lounges. Here, people can gather and freely socialize.
Secondly, condo living is primarily located in the central areas, which are very close to transportation. The locations are also within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. This further helps you to commute in time and further allows the residents to enjoy the city.
Considerations Before Choosing A Condo Living
Before choosing a condo living, you must consider how the location aligns with your daily needs and lifestyle. For instance, if you work at a company, you might be looking for an area that is close to your work or with easy access to all kinds of public transportation.
Secondly, condo living comes with various association rules and fees. So, you must conduct thorough research about the condos as well as the additional costs and check if they align with your financial budget.
Tips for a Successful Condo Living Experience
With countless benefits, today’s homebuyers are highly attracted to condominium living. These condo communities are most likely to have desirable amenities in strong neighborhoods and well-maintained homes.
To ensure successful condo living, you can engage yourself in condo associations. They can help you deliver safe and secure buildings and keep all the people safe within the building as well as the common areas.
Now, we have already learned that condo living usually comes in small spaces. But how can we maximize the condo spaces? Well, we can opt for multifunctional furniture that can work as a bed and storage area.
You can also opt for rugs and seating arrangements that can help in defining different areas of your condo. You can also install a mirror that can act as a focal point in your room and create an illusion to make the space look big.
Other than that, you can also focus on creating a comfortable and private home. This can help you to have a great living experience. Lastly, you must respect all the community guidelines. Knowing all the rules and regulations can help you have problem-free condo living.
A fun and peaceful condo life starts with you
Living peacefully in a condo but still having fun starts with you. By being a good neighbor, other residents would also likely do the same. Follow your condo’s policies that are designed to maintain order among residents.
If you were still wondering how to decide the exact way in which you can create a beautiful, aesthetic and peaceful condo life? Now you know!
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All Comments
Lorna Tadeo
16th Mar, 2023
indeed a helpful tips!
Reply