Apartments Are Safer Than Houses (12 Main Reasons)

If you’re looking for the safest place to live, a house may seem like the perfect fit.

However, multiple factors make apartments a safer choice, especially for individuals and anyone who lives in the city:

1. Closer Proximity to Neighbors

One of the biggest things that make apartments safer than houses is how close you are to other people.

In my last apartment, there were 12 units in the building.

So while I didn’t have roommates at the time, I could count on at least a few other people in the building. That proximity can make it harder for burglars to get away with their crimes.

Compare that to a house where you may have multiple feet between you and your nearest neighbor. Your neighbors may not know a burglar got into your home.

Even if burglary isn’t a problem, you can easily contact your neighbors for help in other ways.

Plus, you won’t have to go outside, which is nice when the weather’s bad.

2. Installed Security Services

At least at my old apartment, they worked with a local security service.

I could call the security company’s phone number if I ever needed help getting from my car to my apartment.

They didn’t patrol the complex, so I would have had to wait.

However, it was nice to know that someone was there to help, even if my neighbors were out of their homes.

The security service worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Not all complexes may have this feature, but you won’t get a security service when you live in a house.

You’d need to pay for the service if you want someone to walk you into your home.

3. Locked Gates and Hallways

Another excellent benefit of living in an apartment happens at night. Many complexes will lock the gate to the premise, so you need a code to even get in.

This was the case for one of my friends in her old apartment.

After around 10 pm, they’d lock the outer gates so only residents and approved guests could enter.

Within the apartment buildings, the complex may also lock certain hallways. That way, only approved residents and guests could get to certain areas of the building.

4. Less Neighbors can Mean More Robberies

A lack of close neighbors can make houses an easy target for burglars.

Sure, you may have neighbors in all of the houses around you, but they’re most likely focused on their own homes.

Depending on the design of the homes in your area, people may not spend much time near their front doors. Combining those factors can make it much easier for someone to sneak into your home.

On the other hand, most robbers won’t try to attack multi-family homes, such as apartments.

That means you could protect yourself and your valuables if you live in a building with other units.

5. Fire Safety Requirements

Another potential safety advantage of apartments over houses is fire safety.

For one, you might have a ground-level unit, so you can easily get out through your front door or windows.

If you live on a higher floor, you should have access to a fire escape. You may also be able to climb down from your balcony to the floor below to help reach the ground.

Many states require that apartment buildings have fire extinguishers as well. On the other hand, many homeowners don’t have a fire extinguisher.

Even if you don’t know how to use one, you may have a neighbor who does.

When you live in an apartment, getting help is as easy as walking across the hall.

6. City Apartments are Closer to Hospitals

If something goes wrong and you get hurt, you can seek medical help quickly.

In my old apartment, I lived just over half a mile away from the closest hospital.

Luckily, I never had a medical emergency, but you never know what can happen. Of course, being near a hospital is useful in an emergency.

However, it can also come in handy if you need less urgent care but can’t safely drive. You should be able to walk to the hospital to get the care you need.

Many cities also have well-lit streets, so walking at night shouldn’t feel that different from walking during the day.

7. Apartment Buidlings Often have Cameras

Another advantage of living in an apartment is that you can live in a complex with security cameras.

The cameras can capture any suspicious activity affecting you or your neighbors.

If the camera catches anything, the complex can share that footage with the police. Then, you may have a better chance of getting your stuff back if someone manages to steal from you.

Also, security cameras may be enough to deter thieves and burglars.

While you can install a camera outside of your house, you’re responsible for purchasing and maintaining them.

8. Keycard Controlled Access

Apartment complexes also may feature controlled access to certain parts of the complex, like keyless entry.

When I lived in my old place, I had to enter a code or use a key to get into my apartment building.

You might also have to use a key or card to access your mailbox, laundry facilities, or the gym. All these features can help protect you and your belongings, making you feel safer going about your day.

The exact controlled access features will vary between complexes.

Be sure to ask your complex or a complex you’re looking at about the features they offer and how everything works.

9. The Walk from Car to Apartment is Longer

It was annoying to have to walk what felt like a mile from the parking lot to my building.

However, the silver lining to that was that it made it harder for burglars to attack my building.

They would have had to pass by a few other buildings before reaching mine. Plus, the courtyard and buildings all had excellent lighting when it was dark out.

If you live in a house, a burglar could easily park on the street, run up to your house, and get inside.

Depending on their demeanor, your neighbors may think the burglar is a guest and is supposed to be there.

Thieves can’t get in and out of an apartment complex as easily, which can help protect you and your neighbors.

10. Better Night Lighting

Another advantage of living in an apartment is that they tend to have good lighting at night. My old complex had multiple lights throughout the courtyard.

There was also a light over the entrance of each apartment building. Finally, there were plenty of lights in the parking lot, so I never felt like I was walking in complete darkness.

This is crucial if you ever need to leave for work before the sun rises or get back after it sets.

Of course, your house and street may have some lighting. Also, remember to turn on your porch light, especially if you’re out of the house all day.

11. Less Stuff in Smaller Spaces

If you live alone or with a partner, you don’t need an entire house.

I’ve spent nights alone in houses before, and it feels like too much space for me. Sometimes, I worry about whether I locked all of the exterior doors.

Buying more stuff to fill your house can be tempting, but having too much stuff – especially valuables – can put you at a greater risk for burglary.

This is particularly true if a robber cases your house and learns you live alone. They may find you to be an easy target.

12. No Unit Stairs

Falling down the stairs is surprisingly common. If you have your bedroom, living room, and kitchen on one level, you can reduce your risk of falls.

With some exceptions, apartments generally don’t have stairs in the units themselves. You may need to go up or down the stairs when entering your building, but that’s it.

Once you’re in your apartment, everything is on one floor. That can make it safer because you don’t have to worry about going downstairs to the kitchen if you get thirsty at night.

You may even be able to find a ground-level apartment so that you don’t have to go down the stairs to get outside.

While there are ranch houses, they may still have a basement or stairs to get inside from the porch or garage.

Sources

Brinks Home: Apartment Burglaries vs. Single-Family Home Burglaries

Eagle Mat: Going Down: Why Falls Are More Common While Descending Stairs