Whether you are gleefully single or happily rearing a family, few decisions are as important as choosing where to live. While the single-detached home is still as popular as apple pie to homebuyers, more and more people are choosing multifamily housing for the affordability and convenience they offer.

One of the most popular options these days are condominiums, a housing arrangement wherein tenants own individual housing units but share the use and maintenance of common amenities. As this article from Association Times reports, condo living has many advantages over owning a traditional home:

You dream about owning a piece of Americana, but if that dream doesn’t include mowing the lawn or spending the weekend on home repairs, consider buying a condominium. A condo can be ideal for first-time homebuyers who want independent living with manageable maintenance. Condos are also a good option for those ready to downsize or who have limited time or desire to manage the maintenance associated with a single family home. Typically, but certainly not always, smaller and less expensive than a single family home, condos can include attractive amenities such as gated entry, covered parking space, 24-hour courtesy patrol, swimming pool, and clubhouse.

Despite their many advantages, some people don’t consider condos in Philadelphia as viable housing options due to certain misconceptions they may have. The section below shuts the door on the most popular myths about living in condominiums.

Condo Fees Are Money Drains

Paying an association fee on top of your rent or mortgage might seem excessive to prospective condo buyers, but these fees are needed for the maintenance of common facilities like the pool and clubhouse. Furthermore, it often includes your share for utilities like gas, electricity, heating and garbage collection.

Alterations are a No-no

You probably can’t improve your unit with the same freedom that homeowners do, but this doesn’t mean that alterations can never be made to your home’s interior. Associations allow just about any renovation project as long as they impinge on your neighbors’ comfort, so go ahead and personalize your space however you wish.

You’ll Feel Cramped

While some people buy condos to downsize their living space, condominiums don’t have to be miniature-housing options. Realtors like Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach offer spacious Philadelphia Luxury Apartments and condos that measure 2500 sq. ft. or higher, making them comparable to standard homes.

(Article Excerpt and Image from Condo Living Pros & Cons, Association Times)