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Do you want to move to a great city center but are on a budget? We all went through it. Maybe you are looking for small living rooms or an efficiency apartment. All rooms like this one have cheaper rent and can help you get to the part of town you want.
If you’re looking to move to cities like New York or Los Angeles, an efficiency apartment may be your only option. Small apartments are becoming increasingly popular and if you haven’t heard of “efficiency apartments” yet, you may be wondering what they mean?
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Knowing the rental language is very important so that you can increase your chances of finding the right place for you. If you don’t, you may be missing some great deals. Let’s find out together what the differences between efficiency and studio apartments are
Differences between a studio and an efficiency apartment
In most cases, any real estate ad can have confusing terminology that makes it impossible for you to make a decision. Some of the terms that do this are “studio apartment” and “efficiency apartment”. In the housing industry, efficiency and studio can have different meanings or can be viewed as interchangeable. What is true is that many agents are using them.
kitchen
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Studio apartments always have full kitchens, but efficiency apartments have kitchenettes. The difference is that the space in an efficiency apartment is smaller compared to a studio. They also only have a small counter where you can prepare a small meal instead of preparing a full dinner in a large kitchen. Sometimes you may not even have a refrigerator.
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Many studios have a full-size, functional kitchen and all the equipment and storage space you need. If there is a refrigerator, it will be larger and fully functional.
The size
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Both are usually small apartments and should only be occupied by one person. They are designed to be simple and inexpensive. For many renters and buyers, they are an inexpensive way to start in an upscale location. Usually they are 400-500 square feet, but they can get smaller depending on the area you want to live in.
Image source: Sarah Seung-McFarland
In other areas, you might see large studios with more space. However, efficiency apartments will always be smaller compared to a studio. If we haven’t stressed this enough, efficiency apartments are small and should always be for single use, because if you have a roommate, it just gets too crowded.
Number of occupants
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An efficiency apartment has a small space and is therefore ideal for a single resident. It will be quite difficult to have someone with you as there is only room for several people.
They’re best for people who don’t need a lot of space or don’t have a lot of stuff. Studio apartments are usually a better option for couples or people who prefer to live with their flatmates.
price
Image source: Sarah Seung-McFarland
If you haven’t figured out what an efficiency apartment is by now, let’s look at the price numbers. Because they are so small, they are also cheaper to get compared to a studio or a full apartment. Surely you will always find some luxury items and some cheaper ones, it really depends on your budget.
When it gets more expensive, it’s usually because it has more features or the zone is better. Be aware of this as it might help you find the right one for you.
Design style
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Both efficiency apartments and studios have open concepts, so that the sleeping area and living room are combined in one. Their layout usually varies, but in general the kitchen is included in the larger apartment and some of them have no kitchen at all.
Advantages of living in an efficiency apartment
Living in an efficient apartment is a cool option for a single person who is on a tight budget or doesn’t really spend a lot of time at home. They can also be a good choice for couples who are already at home but want a smaller one in a particular area when they visit. There are many advantages, but here are the ones we think are important:
save money
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If you live in a small apartment, you always save some money. This is probably one of the reasons why you even think about getting this type of apartment. Rent is always the cheapest.
Less to clean
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If you don’t like cleaning, this can also be seen as a benefit in renting an apartment that doesn’t have that much space. Less space, in the end less for cleaning.
Get utilities included
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As we have already discussed in some cases, you will also receive utilities included in the monthly rent. Many efficiency homes have this, but don’t be surprised if some of them don’t have limited space and sometimes things like refrigerators or shelves may be missing.
Open floor plan
Image source: Cynthia Lynn Photography
A cool aspect of an efficiency apartment that is overlooked is the open floor plan. This means that the entire air conditioning system, the light and the smell get into the same room.
Place, place, place
Image source: The Brooklyn Home Company
Probably one of the most important reasons is the fact that with an efficiency apartment you can reach some cool places in a city that you could not otherwise afford. If you prefer the location to the room, choosing this type of apartment is the smart move.
Final thoughts about an efficient apartment
In summary, it can be said that your own efficiency apartment is more or less similar to a studio apartment. Even though they are a bit smaller, they can still offer enough space for a single person to live there. They are the most budget-friendly option. Keep this in mind, especially if you have a strict option.
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