House vs Condo: Which lifestyle is more appropriate?
Which kind of residence should I go for in order to get the best possible lifestyle?
The key factors
How much space is needed?
Space is a must when it comes to buying any property, whether you want to live in a house or just a condo unit, as there are varying desires or purposes in each person's lifestyles. Moreover, how much space you wish to live in is another factor to consider since it is also your personal living space.
- Condominium:
When it comes to space, a condominium unit actually isn't very spacious and may be rather difficult to move and renovate. However, it is easier to clean, there isn't much walking around, works best for lone residents or those seeking privacy.
- House:
Zones and specific rooms are clearly separated in houses, works best for those seeking spaciousness and can be renovated as you would like. To further the point of clearer zone separation, unlike a condominium unit, houses also provide a personal parking space as well as a lawn.
How many people are staying?
Just as important as spaciousness, another factor to consider is how many people will be staying. If the amount of people staying is not proportionate with the size and space of the residence, problems such as lack in comfortability may arise.
- Condominium:
A condominium unit would be ideal for at least one to two people maximum (maximum room occupancy will also depend on room type), as a condominium unit is more suitable for privacy such as staying alone, with a significant other, or with a friend.
- House:
A house would be ideal for a family or those who are expected to start a family of up to 3 people and above, thanks to its spaciousness and zone separation such as multiple bedrooms, making this a perfect solution for those looking to live with a larger group of people.
Travel convenience
There is no denying travel convenience is a factor to consider when it comes to buying a property that suits us best, as everybody has to go outside almost everyday whether it's to head to work, just traveling for fun, or just other errands in general.
- Condominium:
As many of you may know, various condominium projects in the present are conveniently located close to various railway stations, eliminating the need for personal cars. As a result, this is a suitable solution for those who do not own a personal car, also because personal parking spaces in the condominium project may not be able to accommodate as many cars.
- House:
While there are some exceptions in which certain housing projects or villages are conveniently located by the railway stations, most are oftentimes located close by the main road. As such, houses are more appropriate for those who own a personal car, due to houses already providing personal parking spaces. Moreover, thanks to being located nearby the main road, traveling is just as convenient.
Budget
Budget and everyday fees is one of the top priorities when it comes to buying or renting a property, as prices will fluctuate and vary depending on various factors such as the location, convenience, and the amount of space.
- Condominium:
In terms of a condominium unit, most prices for sale commonly start at 800,000 baht for a studio room to 10M baht and above. On the contrary, rental price start at around 5000 baht and above. For those with a lower budget but are also looking for just a personal living space, a condominium unit will be a better option.
- House:
Current prices for houses vary depending on the location and the type of house (for instance, a townhouse or a detached house). Moreover, the amount of floors or levels in the house is another contributing factor to the prices, making the starting range for house prices approximately 2M baht and above.
Other factors
The following are some other notable factors to keep in mind such as privacy, amenities, or key surroundings.
- Condominium:
This would be ideal for those seeking various amenities along with a common area and available facilities as a condominium project would always provide the likes of swimming pools, gyms, saunas, and most convenience stores are located close by, eliminating the need for unnecessary long-distance travel. Furthermore, there will always be security guards available along with CCTV to ensure maximum security for tenants and residents.
- House:
Houses would be more appropriate for those seeking even more privacy in living, not limited by certain restrictions (such as no pets or no personal garden for planting) like a condo but at the cost of having less amenities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
| House | Condominium |
| Spacious | Cleaning convenience |
| Can be renovated for more space | Fully furnished |
| Rooms and zones are clearly separated | Travel convenience |
| Includes personal parking area | Amenities are accessible |
| You won't have to deal with strangers | Includes a common area for various purposes |
| You can have pets | Security is available 24.7 |
Cons
| House | Condominium |
| Traveling isn't the easiest | Lack of space |
| Security must be installed by yourself | Lack of personal parking area |
| More expensive than a condo | No pets are allowed (for certain condos) |
| Fees must be paid by yourself | Shared space with other people |
Conclusion
If you made it in this far into the article, we're sure you will now be well informed enough about the various pros and cons as well as things to consider whether you intend on living in an actual house or just a condominium unit. Just keep in mind there is no definitive answer as to which offers the better lifestyle as preferences vary depending on the residents.
Have further questions? Contact us!
If you still have any further questions or concerns regarding buying, renting, or selling property, or looking for the ideal place of residence for the best prices and guaranteed you get what you paid for, please contact us. Our property consultant team will be very happy to help answer your questions.
