Don't knock apartments until you try them

Take a fresh look at apartment living

By Francesca Kaye, Marketing Manager at Newby

When you picture your ideal home, what does it look like?

We obviously deal with thousands of potential new home buyers every year. Our developments include a range of different styles of housing, from beautiful detached family homes to convenient city centre apartments. Often buyers come to us with a set idea in their head of what their new house will look like. Frequently we find that those who have never lived in an apartment before have discounted the idea in their mind ahead of their property hunt.

Getting those people through the doors of an apartment can be tricky – but we often find that once we do, the properties speak for themselves. They can make an ideal choice for a variety of people from downsizers to young professionals and often come with benefits including a wide range of amenities and transport links on your doorstep.

We regularly hear the same pre-conceived ideas on apartments, and although apartment living isn’t for everyone, we can usually put people’s minds at rest. So, what are the myths vs the truth?

·       Apartments are too small

People automatically think apartments will just have one or two bedrooms and cramped living space, but modern apartments are often sizeable and spacious. Some of our apartments at Ryedale House, in York centre, have three en-suite bedrooms, utility rooms, storage lockers and a square footage over 1,500. The open plan living areas you often find in apartments maximise the space and feel light, airy and social.

·       I won’t have anywhere to park my car

Many apartments have ground level, undercroft or underground car parking facilities. If that’s essential to you, make sure you check out what’s available. If you’re a cyclist look at whether there’s a bike store too.

·       I’ll be in a busy city centre

For lots of people that’s a bonus! Restaurants, shops and amenities in abundance on your doorstep. For others, we understand they might like to be away from the action. We have apartments in our Glasshouses Mill development which is in a peaceful village set on the tranquil River Nidd. Or we have Springfield Court which is on the edge of Harrogate town centre – giving you easy on foot access to all the town has to offer but with peace and quiet when you need it.

·       The homes will have no character

Any good developer will ensure that isn’t the case, particularly if it is a renovation! Glasshouses Mill is the perfect example as the mill dates back to the 1700s. The properties include original beams and columns, carefully restored stonework, beautiful bespoke sash windows and, in one apartment, the large industrial cog from the water turbine remains as an impressive feature.

·       I won’t have a garden

Some ground floor apartments across our developments come with outdoor space, whereas other apartments may have balconies or roof terraces. You don’t always have to sacrifice outdoor space. As an alternative, look for apartments which are close to green parks or nature reserves which you can enjoy without any upkeep!

·       All those stairs…

Make an apartment building with a lift a priority if needed, but some apartments will be on the ground floor or may only have one flight of stairs to get to them – and the benefit is once you’re inside, it’s all on one level!

·       Apartments can be dark

We believe natural light is something which is important in all homes so at our developments, you’ll never be short on windows!. Our Ryedale House apartments include floor to ceiling glazing throughout the building. That way you can also make the most of the panoramic views across the City – which you definitely wouldn’t get from a standard two-storey house!

Making the move into an apartment doesn’t have to be daunting and we always encourage those thinking about it to just go and view a selection of available properties to ensure you find the best fit for you. Like any house hunting experience, it should be exciting, and the move will usually be for reasons to make it easier for yourselves, therefore a move to an apartment may be the right home after all.

For more information on any of our developments simply click here and select the development you want to learn more about. Each development has a unique enquiry form should you require further answers or if you would like a copy of a brochure.