Living in a house is not for everyone. Single adults and couple without children find the abbreviated living conditions of condominiums more manageable and convenient. Living in Austin condos has more rules, but less responsibilities associated with them. When contemplating an Austin home, consider the features of a condominium versus an Austin house.

Size

For people without children, lots of bedrooms and living space makes for too much cleaning and a lot of unnecessary clutter. Condos generally have one to three bedrooms, a kitchen, living area and sometimes a den or TV room. There is less to vacuum, heat, cool and organize. The yard is also either very small or non-existent. In many situations, the surrounding yard areas are maintained by the condo association or needs very little maintenance at all. For those who want a yard and a garden, a house is better. For those who do not want the hassles associated with mowing, watering and weeding, a condo is more practical.

Safety

Most Austin condos are gated communities. This means that they have security guards at the entrance and exit of the community. Guests must be accompanied or announced. This prevents unwanted people from wandering about the neighborhood and properties, keeping crime lower and quality of life higher.

Parking

Unlike many Austin houses, condos do not have their own driveways. They are usually shard or are made up of a strip of parking spaces. These are designated for each condo owner, which makes it simpler. There are extra spaces designated for guests and visitors. While inconvenient for guests, it assures the homeowner they have a safe place to park no matter the time of day or day of the week.

Regulations

For those who do not like to follow rules and regulations, condo living can be a challenge. The association regulates the presence and type of pets allowed. Many have weight restrictions or species limitations on animals. Some require approval of home color or outside features, such as flags, fences, pools, lighting and noise. Also included with condominium associations are the monthly or annual fees. This takes care of maintenance for the neighborhood, some water and sewage fees and the basic costs associated with having a condo community. Members of the condominium association board are members that live there and help manage the enforcement and organization of the rules.

Convenience

For those who like to be near everyday conveniences, like grocery stores, shopping centers, libraries, gas stations and fitness centers, condo living will meet these needs. Some may feature a free shuttle or van for those that cannot drive or do not have their own transportation. Another convenience to condos are their usual proximity to hospitals and urgent care centers. This is ideal for senior citizens and those with chronic health conditions that want the peace of mind of being near medical help in the event of an emergency.