Thoughts on Garden Apartments

[JanuaryGirl]

If you can find a garden apartment that is a condo someone is renting out, sometimes those are better maintained and may have fewer bug, flooding problems. I would check around for cracks in the floor, corners, etc. which will help alleviate bug and flood issues, and I would want one with some type of bars on the windows for security. Personally I like to have more light and higher ceilings, but if you don't care about that it would be fine.

[missivy27]

I live in a garden apartment in the city however it is a gut rehabbed unit and I have beautiful galss brick windows they are huge and some regular windows as well and the regular windows have bars so it's secure. My apartment is massive over 2000 square feet and gorgeous. Gave me a new outlook on garden units. There doesn't appear to be a flood issue and I have lived here through some major rain storms. I recommend it as long as it has been well built architecturily. Not to mention the rent is much cheaper... My only gripe is that I have seen a couple of spider's but that's all.

[hxcobd]

I lived in 2 garden-level apartments before my current one, and it's a mixed bag:

Pros:
- Being a drummer, I like to tap my feet to music, sometimes kinda hard. Obviously this works better when no one lives below you
- They keep very cool in the summer
- Generally cheaper

Cons:
- Definitely flooding (BOTH places I previously lived flooded more than once)
- Definitely bugs (You don't even want to know what kind of stuff I saw...)

I personally am not so concerned about the crime aspect. Myself, I prefer higher-level apartments in this day and age, just make sure they're really well soundproofed.

[Citybythelake]

Originally Posted by hxcobd

...Pros:
- Being a drummer, I like to tap my feet to music, sometimes kinda hard. Obviously this works better when no one lives below you
- They keep very cool in the summer
- Generally cheaper

Cons:
- Definitely flooding (BOTH places I previously lived flooded more than once)
- Definitely bugs (You don't even want to know what kind of stuff I saw...)

Right on the money. I have lived in a couple myself.

[DoubleMakers]

I echo the flooding comment. The garden unit owner in our building is responsible for keeping the pump operating and also for making sure the drains remain free and clear of debris (which is a major problem in the fall and spring time frame). If the drains clog, that owner runs the risk of flooding the garden unit. And I agree with the privacy comments as well. Most people walking by on the sidewalk just can't help but look in.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by missivy27

I live in a garden apartment in the city however it is a gut rehabbed unit and I have beautiful galss brick windows they are huge and some regular windows as well and the regular windows have bars so it's secure. My apartment is massive over 2000 square feet and gorgeous. Gave me a new outlook on garden units. There doesn't appear to be a flood issue and I have lived here through some major rain storms. I recommend it as long as it has been well built architecturily. Not to mention the rent is much cheaper... My only gripe is that I have seen a couple of spider's but that's all.

I agree here - it all depends on the place you're looking at. You just have to really be aware of the conditions of the floors, etc.

I moved into a garden apartment in Logan Square and lived there for 3 years. It was actually my favorite place. We were on a corner and got decent sunlight, had amazing finishes, new windows, I never once saw a single bug in the place, and we never had a drop of water - even after some record flooding. 1800 square feet, 4 huge bedrooms, central air and heat, in-unit washer dryer, security system, etc. for $1800.

I was talking with friends about this yesterday though, and all 3 of them said they lived in gardens and had issues with flooding.

I'd at least check it out...they can get you a lot of bang for your buck.

[Irishtom29]

I remember when I was a kid and the hillrods that lived in the basement apartment in the big court building next door were flooded out. The basement apartment in my father's 2-flat didn't flood though and our hillrods were spared.