Apartments or otherwise, choice depends on individual preference
To purchase or construct a house and apartment has its advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, apartment life is more attractive for me. Apartment life is more convenient in this modern age with use of the latest technology, designs and materials. And you feel secured against attack, danger and risk of theft and robbery. Likewise, we can take full advantage of the mental, physical and financial facilities in and out of the apartments. For instance, free from tension about unnecessary things and its management of small necessities. Similarly, gardens, parking facility, lift and pools are added advantages.

Moreover, management and construction, infrastructure, earthing make us feel safe from earthquake destruction psychologically. It provides high standard comfort and quick service with electricity supply and its maintenance, water supply, sanitation, central heating and operating systems.

— Padam Bahadur Chhetri, Baksila-04, Khotang
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Home is where you come to when you have nothing better to do. Whether it is a magnificent multi-storied apartment or a simple countryside house, the important thing is that you feel comfortable. It entirely depends upon the mind and mentality of people on which type of residence they think suits them the most. All we can do is just sit back and suggest through our own ideas and perspectives although we cannot say that one option has more advantages than its alternatives as both have their own pros and cons.

Recently developed concept clarifies that owning apartments is more advantageous as it is more convenient and cheaper. To some extent apartments limit the tension of ownership that often serves as a burden after the construction of one’s personal house and comes as a package of facilities. But people owning apartments often are not content with the “ready-made” facilities.

On the other hand, constructing a house according to one’s personal choice can be quite beneficial for living as it radiates the rays of satisfaction in the eyes of the customers. However, purchasing a house can also prove to be a wrong decision in the present context if the area of construction is not chosen wisely. Complications related to the matters like privacy, drinking water, electricity, et cetera may rise later.

— Sushant Shrestha
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I think constructing a house is a better option because the concept of apartment does not reflect the notion of sustainable development.

Kathmandu is prone to earthquake and huge apartments can probably not be as safe as small buildings. Also, apartments give our city the appearance of concrete jungle.

Similarly, the more apartments we build the more resistance capacity we try to build in our city. This may create false consciousness in government about people’s need. The so-called ‘happy life in apartment’ can delude the government away from decentralisation policy. There are chances that state’s resources will be concentrated only in over-populated areas, instead of utilising it for the overall development of the country.

Nevertheless, the housing pattern of our cities is also not less dangerous. Congested buildings, unlawful constructions and rampant building of new houses cannot be called safe and beneficial living.

Hence, only providing license to housing companies cannot be a long-term solution. Instead, the government should focus on mobilising resources throughout the country so that development reaches every corner. This will decentralise people, and hence, people will be encouraged to build their own and safe houses, away from congested cities, where they can live comfortably.

— Adity Karkee
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In recent years, most of the investment is flowing to real estate as people are finding it profitable. Apartments are gaining popularity. It has become a business to build such tall, big and sophisticated apartments. And people are attracted towards it as one can buy it paying a handful of amount easily. They don’t have to face any trouble and tension of building a house. Also, those people who have a busy life and cannot spare time to make their house can easily choose the apartment of their choice within a few hours. So, due to such things people are attracted towards buying apartment. But, they are not affordable to general people as it is expensive.

Buying a land is also expensive and in present context, it is hard to find a suitable land. So, building a big and large complex can be a good alternative. But, in Nepal’s context it doesn’t carry much beauty as the infrastructure is not developed well.

In my view, it is not that bad. It is providing jobs to many people. But, the government should bring rules and regulations in this sector and monitor well as this is not much productive sector. Investment should flow on productive sector like hydropower and manufacturing sector.

— Sulochana Panta,Kaverpalanchowk,Birta Deurali-1
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Construction of buildings is growing rapidly in the urban sector. The concept of apartment for small family is quite beneficial, but it has not been a keen interest for common people. People are attracted towards the apartments but it is not comfortable and reliable as we expect. There is complexity of owning an apartment because of complicated rules and high interest rate and people think of constructing a new house but it is not an easy task. Facilities provided in the apartment are not satisfactory. People who live in a house or in an apartment must feel secure and should be happy with their property.

— Samman Baral, Masbar, Pokhara-7
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There is a recent trend — people seeking to own apartments. But the majority have keen interest in constructing their own house rather than apartment because apartments are more expensive. But, there are some positive aspects of apartments like they are managed properly, have earthquake resistant standard and security with various facilities. Land space is properly utilised in an apartment. If everyone constructs/purchases his/her own house, land space will become less. So, I think apartment life is better. But, a question is — where will people feel more comfortable in — a house or an apartment?

— Rasbin Rijal, Biratnagar
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Well neither of the options is okay. It’s the matter of what’s good for you. An extrovert might prefer building a home and being gregarious, whereas an introvert might prefer being aloof by living in an apartment.

It doesn’t mean that accommodating in an apartment means being apart from people and staying aloof. There are examples where people from different apartments live like a single family, but again these few examples cannot speak for all. And if it’s a matter of financial resource, apartment is worth opting for because the cost of buying land and making a home is exorbitant moreover nowadays apartments with fair prices are available. So, before making a choice ask yourself what you really want and then go for it.

— Anonymous
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It is better to construct a house rather than to own an apartment. I find life in an apartment bound by a chain where there is lack of freedom. We cannot decorate the apartment according to our plan and desire. The owner of the apartment also has to be under the control of others.

The apartments are readymade for us but the houses are built from our own instruction and ideas. I don’t think apartments are built for the sake of the people instead it is built for the sake of estate agents.

Life in an apartment may be luxurious, but is too expensive, which is not affordable for common people. In my case, I want to have a small but beautiful house surrounded by perennial fruit trees in countryside.

— Pradip Pokharel,Kohobara, Jhapa
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People want to have a house rather than an apartment, although the apartment is not different from a house in comfort. One difference however is — apartment is one flat that you own whereas house is all yours. In present context, specially, in a city like Kathmandu, owning an apartment is better than constructing a house, because if every new comer in the city starts building a house, there will no land left. And, obviously, construction of a house causes deforestation, water shortage, as water wells will be owned by each of the new houses built.Building a house takes time and in modern world, time is money. So ultimately, you are wasting your time and money by building a house.

However, living environment is better in a house, because, you’ll have lots of neighbours around and affinity with the people will be more. It won’t be the same in an apartment. Even while playing music you have to think twice, because the family next door will get disturbed.

So to choose either an apartment or a house depends on the person’s way of living.

— Sugat Maharjan
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If I’ve to make a choice then I would own a house rather than an apartment. As house is a personal asset and one can do everything and anything they wish with it. But in apartment one should follow many guidelines as many families will be living in the same building.

Owing a house gives a sense of pride. If I want changes in its interior and exterior then I can do it easily but this option is not available in apartments. Organising parties, gathering friends and enjoying to the fullest are only possible in a house but in an apartment, there are rules, which have to be strictly followed. Many compromises have to be made while owing an apartment. If I want to change the colour of one room then I can do it easily, without anyone’s consent. If I wish then I can put a swing and can dry clothes on the terrace of a house and take a sun bath for long hours, which is not possible in an apartment.

— Moin Uddin, Ghattekulo, Kathmandu
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The concept of apartment life has started in the big cities like Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Butwal, et cetera in of our country. Undoubtedly, apartments have attracted the people. Apartments are peaceful and calm with adequate facilities. People with nuclear and small family find it advantageous. For those opting modern and western lifestyle apartments are really good.

But, in our country, which is influenced by eastern culture and Aryan civilisation people find advantageous to have own house. People don’t feel the ownership of the apartments as they do for a house. In a family like ours, where we celebrate many festivals and frequently have gatherings with the relatives, apartments are not a feasible choice.

Though, lack of space for construction prevails, people often select house to apartments. People can enjoy the freedom in house, which may be limited in apartments. Despite the various advantages of apartments, in our context for a comfortable and satisfactory life house is beneficial.

— Dinesh Bhandari,Sinamangal, Kathmandu
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It is indeed true that the people these days are attracted towards owning the readymade apartment rather constructing a house after buying a piece of land. First of all, it is all because of decreasing land or paddy field in the Kathmandu valley where no piece of land is open for the construction. It’s already packed or soon it will be as purchasing land is a booming business.

The apartment business has been heightening since couple of years because of the growth of real estate business in the country. So, it is very difficult to purchase even a very small piece of land even for affluent people. It is all about how and where the economic condition of the country is heading.

So far, the best option among the two choices is — it totally depends on one’s interest, suitability and willingness. Some people may prefer buying a piece of land and some prefer to buy a small house of the particular cost. The apartment business is very expensive now. I think those who prefer buying an apartment is because they expect it to be like the ones in the west.

Apartment business in Nepal is a new and dependent business on banks and financial institutions so it’s difficult to achieve a level of faith by the public. Hence I choose to get a piece of land and build a small house in a lesser amount.

— Arjun Prasad Tiwari
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n It is a matter of taste and preference. From my view of point, I think houses are more comfortable than apartment. To be very frank, houses are classy, fancy and impart the owner with pride and prestige. A house is generally owned, but it can also be rented. The most remarkable feature of a house is that it offers more space and more privacy. The floor, the yard, the roof and the garage are all yours. A house is the perfect accommodation for those individuals who are introvert, and do not appreciate interventions by others.

When you own a house, you can decorate it as you please, listen to music as loud as you want, and not be bothered if neighbours are indulged in any notorious activity. Apartments can in no way top houses in the privacy arena. When you live in a house, you have a home, not some room that you’re renting from a landlord. What’s the point of living somewhere if that space doesn’t actually belong to you? Apartments are unhealthy and cramped while houses give the owner freedom and happiness. Houses provide safety, privacy, and a good family environment that apartments simply cannot match.

— Anamika Sharma Poudel
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Owning apartments or constructing/purchasing house depends upon people’s choice. Yet in recent days, people seem attracted towards owning apartments as it provides wide range of facilities which enhance sophisticated life. After all it is ready-made, tension regarding supervising the newly constructing house, bargaining with worker’s are absent.

In my opinion, constructing or purchasing a house is the best option as it has lots of advantages over apartments. First, we can design and make the house as per our requirements which are not possible in apartments. Second, the foundation of house is stronger which may not be in apartments. Lots of money is not needed to construct a house so economically also it is beneficial. Lastly constructing a house means, giving it your time and sweat and you will definitely be attached to it.

— Pratibha Pandey
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Well, in my opinion, constructing one’s own house is better than buying an apartment as an individual must apply his hard work which really sounds good from social point of view. Buying or owning apartments is rather termed as a fashion with the advent of globalisation as mainly young generations are seen to be attracted towards such a task. If an individual works hard, collects enough money, follows housing laws and starts construction of his house that looks far better than owning an apartment. For example, if we are searching for an earthquake-proof house, we might not get that one. So, it is far effective to construct one’s own house than buying an apartment.

— Pratik Shrestha,Buddhanagar, Baneshwor

source: The Himalayan Times,23 Sept 2012