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Should I Rent An Apartment Or A Townhouse in West Lafayette?

November 05, 2020

Exterior apartment building in West Lafayette

You've made the call between buying and renting. Still, now you have the next tough problem: should you rent an apartment or townhouse in West Lafayette?

While you can discover a luxurious 2-bedroom or a three-bedroom apartment in West Lafayette, you could opt for the privacy of a townhouse. After all, a townhouse is generally guaranteed to use individual doorways, a garage, and at least two stories. But those perks many times come with an increase in rent.

Consider these few key factors to think about to help you make a good decision.

Townhouses Generally Cost More To Rent Than Apartments

Exterior view of a West Lafayette apartment.

While there are no definite rules regarding rents, townhomes will generally cost more per month. When you rent a townhouse, you will probably have a small usable yard in both the front and back along with an attached garage. Townhouses also come with a two- or three-story floor plan.

On the other hand, you can find many apartments within one structure. Your unit may feature a patio or terrace, but most likely won’t have a private entrance. Those townhome benefits of a yard, garage,, and distance from neighbors could result in a bigger cost. 

Get Multiple Stories With A Townhouse 

Square footage comparisons are relatively straightforward when choosing between renting an apartment or townhouse in West Lafayette. In regards to floor space, a 10’ x 10’ bedroom can be found in both options. And it's not uncommon to find some apartments that give you more space than a townhome. But, apartments will generally have a one-floor floor plan. In contrast, a townhome will utilize either 2 or 3 stories.

The discrete floors allow for more privacy and no upstairs neighbors. With multiple stories, it can be easier to determine what is your living space and what is your quiet space. For example, you can play a game on the first floor after the early birds go to bed on the upper floor. And if your office is at your house, you can set up a home office on the lower level while your upstairs becomes a work-free zone.

Both Can Use All The Apartment Complex Amenities

Laundry room in a West Lafayette townhome.

Townhomes are guaranteed to come equipped with laundry machine hookups. Some apartments might also have a place for hookups like their townhome siblings. Other units have a stackable washer/dryer or stand alone machines included, while others have public laundry rooms instead. Your townhouse may also have more closet space and has a greater chance for features like a a breakfast nook.

Apartment complex amenities come included no matter what you get. You'll gain entry to the gym, workcenter, and everything else your community has available. And every unit gets maintenance calls and kitchen appliances, too.

Privacy May Be the Deciding Factor On Townhouse Vs. Apartment in West Lafayette

West Lafayette townhomes with separate entrances.

Shared walkways are an ordinary part of apartment life. While this might be a fun way to see your neighbors, you might want to avoid a shared entryway. Townhomes are individual units akin to a traditional house , down to having small backyard areas, allowing for more socialization on your own terms.

Both apartments and townhouses feature shared side walls, but a lot of apartments share a ceiling, floor, or both. You'll have to be more conscious about your own noise level when you’re in an apartment. The absence of noise from ceilings and floors in a townhome could also prove to be the best pet-friendly living arrangement.

Ready To Start Looking For Your Next Home?

As you're looking for your new place to live in West Lafayette, you should definitely visit Continuum Apartments first. We have spacious units, wonderful staff, and excellent amenities. Contact us at (765) 476-0886 or click the “schedule a tour button” to start your apartment hunt.