Essay 3 – Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house

GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 3

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment.

Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1: (Living in a house has more advantages)
Whether to live in an apartment or to own a house is a big decision to make and people seem like have different views in terms of choosing the right living places for them. For some, a house is synonymous with having a permanent settlement and a flat is only a temporary living place. For others, a house is too expensive to own or maintain and an apartment is the right solution to their accommodation needs. From my point of view, both have their pros and cons but a house offers far greater benefits than an apartment.

To begin with, a house is more than a building; it is a permanent address. It offers more facilities than an apartment can, not to mention large rooms, a lawn, a space for gardening, open space and so on. Unlike a flat owner, a landlord can build a house the way he prefers and renovates it whenever he wants.

Moreover, a house owner enjoys certain freedoms that an apartment dweller cannot have. For instance, a landlord can convert the open space into a garden or arrange barbeque parties there while a flat owner does not have these freedoms. Interestingly, the prices of a house and its land increases manifold while most of the apartments get grimy and timeworn over the years and offer no significant return on investment. Most of the flat owners get a lease contract for the flat which ends after a certain period while houses are passed from generation to generation.

To conclude, a house is a way better accommodation arrangement than an apartment and this is why everyone dreams to own a house. Apart from some minor advantages that apartments offer, houses are always preferable. Personally, I would like to own a spacious house than a cramped apartment.

Model Answer 2: (Living in an apartment has more advantages)
In today’s world, where the cost of living is increasing day by day, choosing between living in a house or an apartment is a crucial decision. While some people prefer living in a house, others believe that apartment living is more advantageous. In my opinion, living in an apartment has more benefits than living in a house.

Firstly, apartments are generally located in the heart of the city, which offers easy access to all the amenities and facilities such as supermarkets, hospitals, and schools. On the other hand, houses are usually located on the outskirts of the city, which often requires longer travel time to access these facilities. Furthermore, apartments usually come with extra facilities like gyms, pools, and playgrounds, which houses usually do not have.

Secondly, apartments are more affordable than houses, which makes them a better choice for individuals on a tight budget. The maintenance cost of an apartment is also lower compared to a house, as the management takes care of repairs and maintenance of common areas. Lastly, living in an apartment provides a sense of community, as people living in the same building often get to know each other and socialize. In contrast, living in a house can be isolating, especially if the house is located in a less populated area.

In conclusion, while living in a house has its advantages, I believe that living in an apartment offers more benefits in terms of convenience, affordability, and socialization. Therefore, I think that living in an apartment is a better option for individuals looking for a comfortable and affordable place to live in the city.

Model Answer 3: (Neutral Opinion)
Whether living in a house is more advantageous or an apartment is a better choice for dwellers has long been the subject of debate. Some people argue that a large house is better than an apartment while others refute this view. In this case, I opine that both have pros and cons and the preference depends upon several factors.

To commence with, houses are bigger than apartments. There are several bedrooms, a yard, and plenty of space in general. People who enjoy throwing parties can entertain their friends in a more pleasant way when they live in a house. Besides, people have more privacy and freedom when they live in a house and this includes designing the house the way they want. However, a bigger place also requires additional maintenance. There are more floors and windows to clean compared with an apartment.

On the other hand, the apartment usually comes with added values, such as security, power back-up, fire safety mechanism and water system. The developers provide these amenities, whereas the house owners need extra effort to set up these services. In addition, an apartment could be sold more easily than a house as many studies reveal that demands for apartments are higher than for houses. So, it would not be a herculean task compared to selling a house. Take my case for an example – last year I sold my apartment and moved to a new one to be nearer my office within just three months when I decided to do so.

From what has been discussed above, whether a house or an apartment is better to live in depends on several issues, such as personal preferences, lifestyle and so forth. So, it would be wrong if we place one option above the other as it would depend on personal preference and needs.

Model Answer 4: (Living in an apartment has more advantages)
An apartment, in most cities, is a better arrangement for families to live in and offers numerous advantages. There are certain pros to owning a house but this does not come without a cost and not all families can afford a house. I believe that living in an apartment brings more benefits.

To begin with, a landlord has to pay the holding tax, bear the cost of maintenance, renovate the house every year and face many other obstacles and disputes. On the contrary, someone living in a flat does not have to take those hassles. All he has to do is pay the utility bills and enjoy the amenities offered by the building authority. To cite an example, my uncle who is 3 years younger than my father, had once sought legal advice for the dispute he had regarding his house and this continued for more than 5 years.

Moreover, a house owner gets stuck in a certain place and it is difficult for him to move to stay in the proximity of his office or his child’s school. However, an apartment dweller can easily move to a new location to live in the vicinity of the place he or his family members need to travel to and from frequently. On top of that, purchasing a house is a cumbersome process and requires a great deal of money, and compared to that, apartment agreements are much more flexible and middle-class people can afford that.

To conclude, an apartment is a smart arrangement for people to have a living place and this comes with numerous facilities on one hand and eliminates several responsibilities and costs on the other hand. Personally, I would like to own a flat in a nice location than owning a house with a lot of responsibilities.