If you are undecided between buying a single-family home or a condo, Alan J. Heavens suggests in Philly.com that you take a closer look at your lifestyle for the answer. Though location and price are prime considerations for both, real estate agents cite lifestyle as a major factor.

Why? Because when you buy a single-family house, you purchase the land on which it sits, and are responsible for maintaining it.

"When you buy a condominium, you are also buying the services," said developer/real estate broker Allan Domb, who specializes in the Center City high-rise market - "the doorman, the facilities offered, maintenance, and professional management."

"In addition, condos in Center City offer buyers a chance to live in locations" where single-family houses are few or are spoken for, he said.

Convenience and a worry-free lifestyle are among the best attractions of living in a condo. 24-hour security and concierge service, easy maintenance, and proximity to commercial establishments, are comforts that one can only get from living in a condo. Single-family properties are still preferred by traditionalists who like bustling around a home, or who prefer to maintain a more physical distance from the neighbors than what a condo can provide.

However, even for the latter, the attractions of living in prime Philadelphia condos may be difficult to match. In particular, condos located in areas like Center City, the major business district of Philadelphia, offer the kind of lifestyle that many dream of. That is, living in a highly cosmopolitan area where one can have a choice from hundreds of nearby restaurants, as well as easy access to art galleries, museums, and some of the best entertainment spots in the city. In addition, living in the heart of the city can mean a convenient walk or a short drive to the workplace every day.

More than this, some of the most prestigious condominiums in Philadelphia, such as those marketed by powerhouse broker Joanne Davidow, have features that make their value well worth the investment. Think 9 or 12-foot ceilings and windows, granite countertops, and Brazilian cherry floors. If the condo comes with amenities like outdoor sundecks and fitness centers, that can more than make up for the absence of a backyard or a porch.

(Article excerpt and image from Home Economics: Condo vs. single-family home: What's right for you? Philly.com)