If you are already considering living in a condo, you probably are aware of some of the pros and cons. Listed below is my list based upon my experience living at at River Creek Estates. Remember, this is just my personal opinion. : )
PROS #1 More free time
Spending a Saturday cutting, watering, trimming or weeding the grass are now only distant memories for me. I don't miss this.
No more shoveling of snow.
No more outside maintenance of a house or yard.
#2 Less worry
I feel safer living in a condo. The water sprinklers and construction make for a less chance of a devastating fire. I also feel that I am less likely to be a victim of a home break-in.
During hard rains in the summer, I no longer have to worry if my home's basement sump pump will run or if my gutters are draining water away properly.
In the winter, I no longer have to worry about the build-up of snow on my roof.
#3 The property at River Creek Estates is beautiful
There is a lot of open grass area and trees where these buildings are. The property faces the Red River and Gunn's Creek on two sides and provides amazing views year-round.
The grounds are park-like. This is especially true when you walk by the 100+ year-old mature trees on the property. The company that maintains our grounds do an excellent job keeping the grass trimmed.
Pelicans, geese and bald eagles can be seen here.
There are volunteers that have planted amazing flower gardens on the sides of the buildings facing the river and creek. The flowers are beautiful. They truly do an amazing job. Thank you!
#4 The convenience
Indoor, heated parking stalls. Is there anything better in the winter?
No more getting dressed for frigid weather just to take the garbage to the curb.
I can go to my mailbox without going outside.
It's an easy walk to a convenience store and to restaurants.
#5 It's quieter in many ways (in other ways it's not - See CONS below)
I used to live in a house in Selkirk and used to always hear cars go by my home. Some had loud exhaust and the stereo blaring. In my condo suite I hear next to nothing of this and it makes me happy.
CONS #1 Downsizing
There's less room to store your stuff in a condo and some people have a hard time getting rid of items. In my building, if you want to store anything other than your vehicle and bicycle in the garage, you'll need to have a storage cage. If you want one, you can arrange to purchase it and have it installed. Ours cost $1,500 installed. Check with the property management company or a board member for more information.
I find I can't have as many family members over at the same time as I did in my house. This is definitely something to consider if you have a large family.
#2 Boats, campers
Many people are able to store their boats and campers on their house property but this isn't possible here. If you have these items and want to live at River Creek Estates, you'll have to store them off site.
#3 Rules (by-laws) There are rules to living in a condo. I list it here as a con because often people want to do whatever they want in and around their home and some people have trouble making the adjustment to rules in condos. Examples may be:
Parking in visitors area if you are not a visitor
Using doors that are designated as Emergency only
Having an excessively noisy pet
Not cleaning up after your pet
Not taking your pet to the proper outdoor place to do it's business
Changing the construction of their suite or flooringwithout prior board approval
#4 Parking
Parking can be a con if you end up trying to park where you shouldn't or you have more cars than stalls. Owning a car and parking it in the visitors lot or off to the side of a building could get you towed. Instead, arrange to purchase a stall from another owner. They come up for sale periodically.
#5 Sounds and Noises Although the building construction has good sound insulation, you'll still hear sounds. That said, there are days when I don't see or hear anyone... The key is to be mindful of others and to also be tolerant whenever possible.
Below is a list of what I've learned:
You may hear the occasional running of water, stomping of feet or the flushing of the toilet from the suite above you.
You will hear people in the hallway if they are talking loud.
If you have a noisy dog on your floor, you will hear it barking (chronic barking should not be tolerated).
More about the sounds and noises... Yes these sounds and noises are cons, but I still feel it is quieter here than being in a house in the city. A neighbour in a house in the city can have a noisy dog and, provided it doesn't bark between 11:00PM and 7:00AM, there's nothing you can do about it. Same goes for people partying late into the evening and those that run their lawnmowers, leaf blowers and snowblowers at odd hours.