Advantages Of Living In An Apartment With A Child

Anu looked out from her balcony with a hot cup of tea in her hands. She saw her daughter Ananya running around with the other kids of the apartment. The little girl was happy and flushed, laughing, and calling out to her new friends. Anu heaved a sigh of relief. She was satisfied that the much thought over decision of moving to an apartment was a good one after all.

She remembered the long conversations with her husband. They had to move out quickly from their old, rented house. The landlord was increasing the rent (again) and they both knew that the amenities there were almost nil when compared to the price they were paying. It was then that they had thought of moving into the apartment, but Anu was a bit apprehensive. To be cooped up in tall towers somehow was never her idea of comfort. Also, she was always concerned about Ananya. Would the child actually like being thrown in amongst strangers? Would she like her new environment? In fact, it turned out that Anu was over thinking.

Moving into the apartment was perhaps the best decision that they made, especially for Ananya. As she says, 'If given a choice I would always want to live in an apartment now. My daughter has made friends; she has become more social and has opened up considerably. Also, I am glad she gets to play physically and interact with her own age group.'

Making the call

There are many stories like Anu's. Apartments are blooming almost everywhere, and most families are opting to live in them because of a multitude of advantages. Of course, it largely depends on the size and needs of the family. For big families accustomed to living in ancestral homes, an apartment home experience may not always be quite satisfactory.

However, the biggest advantage of living in an apartment is the benefits reaped by the children. Oh yes, kids in apartments have a swell time because they get a gang of friends to hang out and play with. Parents also find it easier to supervise them, and since maintenance is taken care of by the association, they get to spend more time with the children. Let's dive a little deeper into why and how living in an apartment can be good for kids.

Convenience of living in an apartment for parents

Safety

The enclosed space makes apartments safe for children. They can play, run, cycle or skate within the complex without having to venture out onto the road or streets. Besides, the 24/7 security guards at the entrance of the complex make sure children do not leave the premise. Apartments also have CCTV cameras installed that help to keep an eye and there are various rules that regulate vehicular movement within the complex. The children can play safely without the fear of having to look out for traffic or bumping into passersby. With regulated access to outsiders, the apartment complex is a safe space for kids to play freely.

Supervision

Just as how Anu could view her daughter from the balcony, most parents can keep an eye on their children easily from the comfort of their homes. The play area in apartments is usually located centrally surrounded by the buildings. As parents, you can continue with your daily chores meanwhile just peeping to know what the kids are up to.

Community

Living in an apartment gives parents the advantage of having a community around them. When children come together to play and spend time together every day, it is natural that the interaction between families staying in the apartment also increases. Parents can take turns watching the kids play or they can also coordinate going for walks and jogs within the premise with each other. It could be small evening chats or even planning parties and events together that can help bond and build ties with other families in the apartment. Who knows, just like your kids, you too can find lifelong friendships here.

Location and access

Apartments are usually built in desirable and convenient locations. Banks, supermarkets, schools, restaurants are almost always easy to reach and access. Also, even if a particular location is far away, finding transport back and forth is often much easier for those residing in apartments. For example, if a lot of children study in the same school, a van or school bus can be arranged to pick and drop them all.

Benefits of living in an apartment for children

Amenities

One of the most prominent advantages of living in apartments is the many amenities that you have access to. Kids have a play area, and we all know how important that is. As Ralph Waldo Emerson says, 'It is a happy talent to know how to play'. Also, there is usually a gym and very often a swimming pool, library, hobby center and sporting equipment readily available for those living in apartments. Special activities can be arranged for the children in the community hall or play area often to keep them busy. And so, when the child gets bored or wants to try out something exciting, you don't have to necessarily take them around town. A lot of interesting options are available within the apartment complex itself!

Social interactions

For the single child, interaction with peers and other kids becomes difficult when living in individual homes. The apartment setting helps to bring together children across different age groups and cultures to socialize and interact with each other. The fact that their friends are waiting for them to play makes children want to spend more time outdoors. This is great news considering how much gadgets have tied them down inside homes. Also, because of the number of kids, it becomes easier to arrange for hobby or activities classes where they can learn and enjoy with each other.

Celebrations

The apartment complexes house a wonderful mix of cultures and people. This is why almost all major festivals are celebrated with much fervor. Be it Diwali, Christmas, New Year, Navratri or Eid, the celebrations are not confined to few families alone. Instead, the entire complex is decorated, activities organized and celebrated together. This is a huge advantage for children as they not only learn about different cultures, but also understand the idea of inclusivity.

Apartments are in many ways like modern joint families. There is privacy and individual taste for families, but there is also a sense of community living. And hence an apartment setting helps balance the scale. Children get the attention and care from the family. But they also learn to interact with their peers and adults outside the home. Couple that with the facilities, amenities, access, and safety that apartment complexes provide. And it becomes hard to ignore the multiple advantages that living in apartments can have. For children, an apartment experience is in fact, more of a boon, especially in our times, when virtual interaction seems to have an upper hand over real communication.

Also Read

10 Life Skills Your Child Should Acquire By High School

How being assertive can be life-changing for your child

Smart Space-saving Ideas For Small Homes

About the author

Written by Tasneem Sariya on March 10, 2021.

Join our Circles to share, discuss and learn from fellow parents and experts!

Looking for expert tips and interesting articles on parenting? Subscribe now to our magazine. Connect with us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube