Apartment living

After staying in the apartment while in Auckland and at my children’s place in the Gold Coast, I know apartment living is not for me. My preference for any type of house is ground level with lots of doors opening directly into the fresh air, and lots of sunshine to boot. Of course, I like many houses that don’t fit that description but that type is my favourite.

All the apartments I have had experience with are in big complexes meaning one will only get the morning or the afternoon sun, generally not both, while an unfortunate few get neither. While some have reasonable sized balconies, others do not, but at least these do give access to the outside world, which seems so far removed once one is a few stories in the air. I guess I like to be grounded and on the ground.

Another problem with these places is that access is generally only available via the lift. I know my kids had problems shifting apartments as they needed to wait with each load for an empty lift to move their gear. Very time consuming. And then there is the issue with each access only being available with the swipe card - coming through the gates, into the front door, into the lift, into the apartment.

Carparking is another problem area. Often there is nowhere for visitors or even a second car for apartment dwellers. In Auckland, we were allocated a tiny carpark that involved a lot of maneuvering to get within the space allotted and no room for both driver’s and passenger door to be open at the same time.

But I know people love their apartments, and the proximity to the beach or the city that these generally provide. Plus, the views are incredible. I did enjoy my two nights in our Auckland one but I am so glad that that is not my permanent dwelling. Give me the access to the outdoors any day.