Why Irish do not like apartments

Pretzeluck · 27-01-2019 02:01AM #1

Apparently we have the lowest rate of apartment living in whole of European Union. We are the last with 85% living in houses rather than flats. Fascinating, I couldn't imagine myself living in an apartment because I am anti social and don't like seeing other humans but I'm sure most of Ireland isn't that way. Why for example Spain has almost 70% population living in flats while Ireland only has 15%? Why Spaniards seem to be content with apartments while we're not, same with UK which has low amount of population living in apartments.

Edit:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Housing_statistics#Type_of_dwelling

cournioni · 27-01-2019 02:03AM

Because most of the apartments here are sub standard shoe box dwellings.

jaxxx · 27-01-2019 02:05AM

cournioni wrote: »

Because most of the apartments here are sub standard shoe box dwellings.

^ This.

Dakotabigone · 27-01-2019 02:05AM

Do you want to hear Carol riding for an hour 3-4 nights a week?

Atlantic Dawn · 27-01-2019 02:06AM

Completely different taxation system to Spain.

Pretzeluck · 27-01-2019 02:07AM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Completely different taxation system to Spain.

What?

Undividual · 27-01-2019 02:08AM

Pretzeluck wrote: »

Apparently we have the lowest rate of apartment living in whole of European Union. We are the last with 85% living in houses rather than flats. Fascinating, I couldn't imagine myself living in an apartment because I am anti social and don't like seeing other humans but I'm sure most of Ireland isn't that way. Why for example Spain has almost 70% population living in flats while Ireland only has 15%? Why Spaniards seem to be content with apartments while we're not, same with UK which has low amount of population living in apartments.

Edit:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Housing_statistics#Type_of_dwelling

I don't think its a matter of preference, I think its down to affordability. I'm guessing most families would prefer a house (with a garden) and most young professionals would prefer the low maintenance of apartments. It makes me sad to see Ireland going the way of apartment blocks.

I don't know if the kids-playing-on-the-street culture I had growing up will be around for my kids. Can't imagine playing kick-the-can with apartment blocks.

Pretzeluck · 27-01-2019 02:14AM

Berties_Horse wrote: »

It's difficult to socialise when you refuse to leave the basement.

We have sherlock holmes over here.

Noxin · 27-01-2019 02:17AM

Because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.
Because I can't make changes to apartment (want to knock down a wall...? Good luck)
Because no garden.
Because of what @cournioi said.
And again, because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.

sammyjo90 · 27-01-2019 02:19AM

Dakotabigone wrote: »

Do you want to hear Carol riding for an hour 3-4 nights a week?

Thats my mum

And no I don't.

I live in one at the moment and the lack of a garden gets me missing a house and I dont even like gardening!

ExoPolitic · 27-01-2019 02:22AM

Because of the service charges... a thousand or more euro saved per year in a house than an apartment...

Atlantic Dawn · 27-01-2019 02:22AM

Pretzeluck wrote: »

What?

€1500 odd a year in service charges, then property tax on top of that and then charges to dispose of waste.

FGR · 27-01-2019 02:22AM

I think the lack of adequate soundproofing and the threat of low maintenance in common areas would put a lot of people off.

I’ve seen some pricey apartments in France and the USA that are like hotels with 24hr manned reception and well maintained corridors/lifts/rooftop gardens. Things I can’t picture being available here.

Add to that the difficulty of landlords not being able to remove troublesome tenants easily.

Is there a legal minimum standard in Ireland for soundproofing, if any?

PauloMN · 27-01-2019 02:23AM

cournioni wrote: »

Because most of the apartments here are sub standard shoe box dwellings.

Very true. Any apartments I've been in in mainland Europe have felt like proper homes - spacious, solid, bright, inviting and usually with their own basement storage for bikes, laundry etc.

Any apartments I've been in here have been the opposite - dingy, dark, flimsy feeling (the problem highlighted above with being able to hear everything), small, lacking space (bikes and other crap on balcony) etc.. Of course there are exceptions, but in general any apartment I've been in here has been really poor and horrible.

It's no wonder people want houses (even though the newer "houses" with 3 storeys, no front gardens, communal parking etc. are getting more like apartments anyway!).

blondeonblonde · 27-01-2019 02:25AM

Noxin wrote: »

Because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.
Because I can't make changes to apartment (want to knock down a wall...? Good luck)
Because no garden.
Because of what @cournioi said.
And again, because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.

Many apartment blocks in Europe allow residents first choice on adjacent properties so knocking through is an option. Garden also should not be an issue if sufficient space in development.

Main issue is size of Irish apartments and esp lack of storage imho. Friends in Denmark live quite happily in 1 bed apt with child but crucially have two huge storage rooms for their own large items.

I own an apartment in Dublin & would be happy to remain long term if only I had suitable storage.

Irish people are not averse to apartments, they have never simply been shown how apartments are properly done.

doolox · 27-01-2019 02:25AM

This may have a lot to do with it. As mentioned before apartments in Ireland are not as well built or sound proofed as those in other countries and the people are not as obliging to neighbours as you find in other countries. Try making a racket in any medium or small town in foreign parts and you are likely to be brought to task very quickly.

I am always amazed how quickly the night falls and things get very quiet in suburban areas in Spain etc except in the inner strip areas of the resorts but you are quickly told to shut up and keep it down once you leave these areas and get to the more residential areas of the towns.

The downside is that most of these people are up at 7 am in full flow and are not quiet. Don't expect to get long lazy lie ins in most residential areas unless you are deep in the country.

The Irish need to employ surveyors and architects to inspect apartments for sound-proofing and quality of build. The information obtained by these inspections should be used to drive down the prices of shoddy apartments and may drive up the prices of well soundproofed ones. This needs a normal market in which to operate and will not happen in the present abnormal market. A garden shed in the middle of a steel mill forge would attract a buyer, so desperate are people for a house or home of their own. Only the banks and mortgage requirements stand in the way of a complete collapse in standards of noise insulation and build quality. Buyers will not do this on their own.

NSAman · 27-01-2019 02:45AM

Apartments in Ireland are overpriced and lack amenities compared to many other countries. In the States I have a small place in the city...I rarely stay now as I moved out.

My assessment (service charge) includes electricity, heat, and 24 hour door man, a pool, a gym, and parking. 400 a month. It is completely sound proof, larger than any Irish apartment at 1200sq ft for a one bedroom.

Also I was allowed to redo the space to my taste, move walls etc.

I have had it 10 years, never has it been broken into.

I have had my place in Dublin 8 years and it’s been broken into twice.

It has a balcony that I can use in summer for sitting and cooking on, the one in Dublin is sooooo small and dangerous it is never used.

Oh yeah and it cost 1/4 of the apartment in Dublin .....

Stacksofwacks · 27-01-2019 02:46AM

Because you can hear your neighbors farting and snoring

Dakotabigone · 27-01-2019 02:48AM

Stacksofwacks wrote: »

Because you can hear your neighbors farting and snoring

You get off on them riding don’t you?

Stacksofwacks · 27-01-2019 02:49AM

Dakotabigone wrote: »

You get off on them riding don’t you?

and the sessions are so loud you end up going up and having one or two

mrcheez · 27-01-2019 02:50AM

sure where would you grow ure spuds loike?

Franz Von Peppercorn · 27-01-2019 02:54AM

Noxin wrote: »

Because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.
Because I can't make changes to apartment (want to knock down a wall...? Good luck)
Because no garden.
Because of what @cournioi said.
And again, because having to listen to my neighbors is rank.

I mean most people live in semi detached houses in urban areas. Hardly an issue.

Plumbthedepths · 27-01-2019 02:55AM

I'm13 miles away from my place of employment. A pain as it's rural on the plus side it's a 4 bed house on nearly an acre of land. All i hear are cows and sheep. Feel sorry for anyone that has to endure the shoebox lifestyle.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 27-01-2019 02:55AM

NSAman wrote: »

Apartments in Ireland are overpriced and lack amenities compared to many other countries. In the States I have a small place in the city...I rarely stay now as I moved out.

My assessment (service charge) includes electricity, heat, and 24 hour door man, a pool, a gym, and parking. 400 a month. It is completely sound proof, larger than any Irish apartment at 1200sq ft for a one bedroom.

Also I was allowed to redo the space to my taste, move walls etc.

I have had it 10 years, never has it been broken into.

I have had my place in Dublin 8 years and it’s been broken into twice.

It has a balcony that I can use in summer for sitting and cooking on, the one in Dublin is sooooo small and dangerous it is never used.

Oh yeah and it cost 1/4 of the apartment in Dublin .....

Where’s that, central Detroit?

worded · 27-01-2019 03:01AM

What’s needed is a BER Version for sound rating.

Apts are good to sleep in not live in

No consideration given to storage in most cases. That’s a lack of respect for the buyer.

The build quality and management companies (some dodgey and often affiliated to the builder covering his back) and fees that are way over the top.

NSAman · 27-01-2019 03:04AM

Franz Von Peppercorn wrote: »

Where’s that, central Detroit?

Chicago....:)

PARlance · 27-01-2019 03:13AM

Pretzeluck wrote: »

Apparently we have the lowest rate of apartment living in whole of European Union. We are the last with 85% living in houses rather than flats....Why for example Spain has almost 70% population living in flats while Ireland only has 15%? Why Spaniards seem to be content with apartments while we're not, same with UK which has low amount of population living in apartments.

Apparently we don't have many apartments. It's probably the number 1 factor with the above stats.

Dakotabigone · 27-01-2019 03:31AM

Give it to me Aine, oh yes.

r93kaey5p2izun · 27-01-2019 03:34AM

It's just so unappealing. No garden, no pets, nowhere to dry clothes, so many rules. I'm sure most people worldwide would choose a house where possible but in countries where there are more apartments built it's probably the only viable option for most budgets. The same will have to happen here.

I have lived in an apartment in Paris and in Ireland. The marked difference was the absence of petty rules in Paris compared to Ireland and the acceptance that people would get on with their lives without being dictated to by busybody resident groups, but at the same time general behaviour was better and more respectful so less need for regulations.

joeguevara · 27-01-2019 03:43AM

I lived in an apartment bang in the centre of Dublin for 4 years and still own it and rent it out. Absolutely loved living there as it was so central and really felt like home.

It had no soundproofing issues and couldn’t hear any of the neighbors. It had an amazing communal garden area which we used every time the sun was out. Was a bit of an oasis.

Live in a house now and love that too. Each has its pros and cons. With apartments I think it really does depend on the block itself as well as it’s location. Mine was built in the 80s with only 5 apartments on each floor. The build does seem better than newer ones. Your neighbours are also important. My mate spent a fortune on his apartment in sandy ford and in the first night realized that the apartment on either side are occupied by escorts which change on a monthly basis. He regularly bumps into random guys going in. He doesn’t mind too much but would annoy me.

worded · 27-01-2019 04:04AM

joeguevara wrote: »

I lived in an apartment bang in the centre of Dublin for 4 years and still own it and rent it out. Absolutely loved living there as it was so central and really felt like home.

It had no soundproofing issues and couldn’t hear any of the neighbors. It had an amazing communal garden area which we used every time the sun was out. Was a bit of an oasis.

Live in a house now and love that too. Each has its pros and cons. With apartments I think it really does depend on the block itself as well as it’s location. Mine was built in the 80s with only 5 apartments on each floor. The build does seem better than newer ones. Your neighbours are also important. My mate spent a fortune on his apartment in sandy ford and in the first night realized that the apartment on either side are occupied by escorts which change on a monthly basis. He regularly bumps into random guys going in. He doesn’t mind too much but would annoy me.

You couldn’t have a family with kids living beside that !

So you pay 500 K and are sandwiched by two brothels .... good god no

Why Irish do not like apartments

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