Living in an apartment community has immense benefits, but it also brings other factors into play that homeowners don’t have to deal with. If you have children, there are other circumstances you’ll have to take into consideration, such as keeping your kids occupied in a small space, reducing noise levels, and apartment safety. We’ve put together some tips to help keep peace with the neighbors and keep your kids from going stir-crazy.
Look for an apartment with kid-friendly amenities
Since you most likely won’t have a backyard, it’s important to make sure your kids can get outside regularly and play (and burn some energy!). When you’re hunting for a place to live, look for an apartment complex with amenities like a pool, a playground, or even a movie room. This will keep your kids occupied, get them out of the apartment, and tire them out so the noise will be reduced exponentially. Additionally, don’t forget to look for an unit with laundry close by – it’ll make your life much easier!
Teach your kids to use indoor voices
Talk to your kids about when it is appropriate to use a loud voice and where you must be quiet. Make sure to practice with your child in various places when it is appropriate to use a quiet vs. loud voice, especially when you are at home. This will help reduce the noise for neighbors and keep complaints to a minimum.
Ensure that doors and windows are child-proof
Windows can be hazardous to children if you live on a higher floor. Make sure that all windows have child-proof locks and talk to your kids about safety around the windows. If your apartment has a balcony, make sure you have child-proof locks on the doors and be aware if any patio furniture poses a hazard. Never leave your child unsupervised on a balcony. Learn more about childproofing your apartment.
Use lots of carpet
A place on the ground floor would be ideal for living with kids, but if that’s not possible, then buy carpets to cover wood floor and reduce the noise of kids running and playing for your downstairs neighbors.
Be considerate of others in the building
Teach your children not to yell in the hall, respect others’ belongings, and not slam doors and cabinets. If you respect your neighbors, they will be more willing to respect you, and not play loud music in the middle of the night when your kids are asleep. Show children that they need to respect the building and property, so you don’t end up paying any expensive damage repair fees. For example, drawing on the walls or playing rough in the hallways can lead to your landlord charging you to make the repairs.
Apartment communities can be great places for kids to grow up, with benefits like amenities, other kids in the building and increased security. Less cleaning and maintenance can also mean more room for family time, and at the same time it’s a more affordable option. By following the guidelines above, you can make sure that your apartment is safe and enjoyable for your children, and you’ll be able to foster good relationships with neighbors and your landlord.
A great way to keep a positive relationship with your landlord is to always make rent payments on time. Never forget a payment when you pay rent online with WilliamPaid.
