Getting the first place can feel so grown-up at first. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, probably. The keys in hand, little daydreams about cozy nights in, maybe a cute coffee setup on the counter, maybe finally getting a place that feels like actual independence. Yeah, sure, that part is exciting. But if you’ve never lived in an apartment, always living in a house instead, there are things that honestly do throw you by surprise while you’re just trying to adjust to your new home. But what exactly?
Shared Walls are the Biggest Test of Patience
During college, if you ever lived in a dorm, you might know this, and if you had thin walls in your house growing up, it might not come as a surprise. But for many people, this is still one giant surprise. So, nobody really explains how much noise can travel until the first night somebody starts dragging furniture around at 11 p.m. or decides that stomping is apparently a totally normal way to walk, or blasting music when they know for a fact people have work the next day.
People really just don’t care. Sure, not all neighbors are actually trying to be irritating, but it doesn’t take away the fact that it’s still happening. And this is life now, this is basically going to be an everyday occurrence now, and the walls are just so thin, ceiling and floor included. A first-timer usually goes in looking at apartments thinking only about square footage, natural light, and maybe the kitchen. What doesn’t always get enough attention is sound; it’s just not something people consider until they live in an apartment.
There’s Always the Potential for Package Theft
Now, this might be a surprise, but it might not be, because you could live in a house and still face this risk. Sometimes, neighbors just steal packages. Porch Pirates are another issue, too, that you might have to deal with if you lived in a house. But if you’ve never experienced that, and then you move into an apartment that lacks a proper mail or package system, this can be a super rude surprise.
Sometimes, lobbies have management take in packages, and if that happens, great, you might not have too much to worry about then. But some don’t, and sometimes delivery companies will put said package in the lobby, outside the apartment door, in the hallway, with a neighbor, and well, good luck getting that package in that case.
Laundry Room Etiquette is Its Own Social Contract
Okay, this one really doesn’t get explained enough. But a shared laundry sounds simple until it isn’t. Sure, some apartments will have a laundry room for each individual unit, and great, you won’t have to think about etiquette in that case. But if it’s communal, well, you’ll need to.
So, somebody leaves clothes sitting in the dryer for an hour. Somebody uses every machine at once like they own the room. Somebody spills detergent and just walks off like that’s not anybody else’s problem. It’s awkward, and basically, there are just so many unspoken rules about private property, and it’s just weird.
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