Should I Do This?

dusty said:
No flower boxes, no bird feeders, no flags, and all window covering seen from the exterior must be white on the new place. Bummer.
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A rule of no flower boxes seems extreme and unacceptable. I can understand that if someone had a balcony and put flower boxes out there and watered them, and the water leaked out, or caused damage to surfaces, or the plants were distracting to other residents. I have plants on metal stands near one window inside the house. There is a floor lamp that rises above them and provides enough light that they can survive if I don't open the window blinds.

People should be able to enjoy plants (or flowers) in their apartment without it being an issue. But if a "no" is the final ruling, I wouldn't want to live anywhere that restrictive and invasive.
 

dusty said:
Been there, done that. The mainenace guy was here in the building 3 months ago and he popped in. He said he didn't know what was wrong with it. I told him it was either dying or needed new elements. He left, saying he would be right back and I never saw him again.
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You obviously canā€™t count on your super intenent or property manager to be looking after you.. if your cupboard doors wonā€™t open and close properly due to faulty ground / floors, thatā€™s a HUGE problem. So what if the new place needs all white window frames. New windows last an average of 20 to 30 years. Itā€™s not something you should be worried about. You canā€™t even have a hot shower.:(
 
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We have the rule of white/beige curtains in our community. This only applies to what is seen from the outside. In the interior, we can have anything, as long as itā€™s not visible to the outside. I appreciate it when I see the collection of drapes in a nearby community.
 

With that list of things needing to be fixed, appears to me you are living in a dump. Hot showers versus a view of flowers? You gotta be kidding.

I would have moved out long ago.

Edited to add: You stated you had to let them know by Monday. This is Wednesday. What have you decided?
 
If you live in an apartment or condo complex, they do not want wind chimes because the sheer volume would be annoying. People canā€™t have bird feeders either and window boxes hanging over are a danger from multi story buildings as they could fall and injure people below.

If you have your own balcony or patio, then people have flowers and plants out there. If not, you have them on the inside. itā€™s common in communal living that the outside of your curtains must be white or cream colored. They make curtains that have a white or cream colored lining and are any shade on the inside. Itā€™s unattractive to look at a building and see 1 million different colors on the outside.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
A rule of no flower boxes seems extreme and unacceptable. I can understand that if someone had a balcony and put flower boxes out there and watered them, and the water leaked out, or caused damage to surfaces, or the plants were distracting to other residents. I have plants on metal stands near one window inside the house. There is a floor lamp that rises above them and provides enough light that they can survive if I don't open the window blinds.

People should be able to enjoy plants (or flowers) in their apartment without it being an issue. But if a "no" is the final ruling, I wouldn't want to live anywhere that restrictive and invasive.
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I had flowers and flower boxes. They attract insects and spiders and they died. I just make it tropical inside with plants. Bird feeders, I can't do that. Tried that. Immediately a mouse came. It's forbidden to have animal food on the balcony because otherwise the whole flat gets mice.

But no normal shower and no normal doing your dishes????? No way.

I live in a flat with elderly people. 90 year olds also live 9 high. It's way better than on the first floor where everyone makes noise.
 
Teacher Terry said:
If you live in an apartment or condo complex, they do not want wind chimes because the sheer volume would be annoying. People canā€™t have bird feeders either and window boxes hanging over are a danger from multi story buildings as they could fall and injure people below.

If you have your own balcony or patio, then people have flowers and plants out there. If not, you have them on the inside. itā€™s common in communal living that the outside of your curtains must be white or cream colored. They make curtains that have a white or cream colored lining and are any shade on the inside. Itā€™s unattractive to look at a building and see 1 million different colors on the outside.
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Dr.Colosso said:
I had flowers and flower boxes. They attract insects and spiders and they died. I just make it tropical inside with plants. Bird feeders, I can't do that. Tried that. Immediately a mouse came. It's forbidden to have animal food on the balcony because otherwise the whole flat gets mice.

But no normal shower and no normal doing your dishes????? No way.

I live in a flat with elderly people. 90 year olds also live 9 high. It's way better than on the first floor where everyone makes noise.
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I made two prior posts to this thread: #24 and #76. Neither suggested flower boxes outside which could produce nuisances or dangers to people below. I get that.

But any tenant should have the right to have plants or flowers inside their own apartment. A landlord who would prohibit such is unreasonable. If someone else wants to live in such a place, that's up to them, but I would not.

No pets, no flowers, no plants, and who knows what else is forbidden; kind of like a jail cell.

The person who started this thread feels there are drawbacks to living in either place, so maybe she should keep looking. It's not carved in stone that a choice must be made between only two options.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I made two prior posts to this thread: #24 and #76. Neither suggested flower boxes outside which could produce nuisances or dangers to people below. I get that.

But any tenant should have the right to have plants or flowers inside their own apartment. A landlord who would prohibit such is unreasonable. If someone else wants to live in such a place, that's up to them, but I would not.

No pets, no flowers, no plants, and who knows what else is forbidden; kind of like a jail cell.

The person who started this thread feels there are drawbacks to living in either place, so maybe she should keep looking. It's not carved in stone that a choice must be made between only two options.
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Oh I thought no flower boxes meant no outside flower boxes. Not inside? That's crazy.
 
Hopefully, the many issues and viewpoints contained in this thread, will apply to other readers;

and very possibly be informative or interesting, or even helpful ,
in living situations, and decision making,

Other than that of the original thread poster.


That is often the case.
 
My building also has a requirement that from the outside, all shades, blinds, and drapes be white or beige. This is very common in apartment buildings, especially the higher-end ones. We are also not allowed to hang flags, etc., although I can't imagine how anyone would put one up anyway.

The flower box part makes me think you may have flower boxes confused with flower pots. Flower boxes are usually mounted outside the window. Any building would allow flower pots inside, even right in front of the window.

In other words, they don't want you messing with the outside of the building. But the inside decorating is yours to do as you please, as long as you aren't causing any structural or water damage.

I agree with the post that said "Flower pots vs. hot water?" Keep your attention on what really matters.
 
C50 said:
Is the water heater in your apartment? If so you may want to check (or have checked) the temperature setting, maybe it can be turned up a bit, very simple adjustment.
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the maintenance guy did that three months ago but it made no difference. I think they need to put in new elements but won't do that because the tank must be drained first, yet a new heater is 'too expensive'. Yes, the water heater is in my apartment.
 
If it were me I'd consider the cons very carefully and decide what you can and can't live with. if it were me, if there's an elevator the new place would likely be doable. if it's all stairs then oh heck no! you have to consider how each thing is going to effect your quality of life as you get older.

is the mailbox at the curb or something or in the community room that involves more of a walk?
 
I dont see the third floor as a con. Ive seen lots of noise complaints about the people above.
And the new place has no carpet to muffle sound.

As far as meeting people Im sure you will meet others in the elevator. Arent there neighbors on your floor.
If you want to meet people "drop your handkerchief". :D
 
When I bought my condo, I wanted to be on the third floor, which was the top floor so I didnā€™t have anybody walking over me. Of course it was necessary for the building to have an elevator. Your old place sounds really bad and even though thereā€™s some kind cond in the new place, I would definitely move there.

I have met a lot of people that live here by getting my mail in the lobby. Plus, you see people walking around, at the elevator, etc. I have found it pretty easy to meet people here.
 
I went through this about 5 years ago. I toured many "active" senior facilities. The main problem for me is I fell though the cracks of financing. I have too much money to have my rent subsidized and I don't have enough to afford to live in one of those places. Most around here run $3000 to $7000 a month, depending on the amenities offered - some had a gym and swimming pool - not things I would use but have to pay for. Others included meals but had limited time schedules and food choices.

Another issue was space. I need at least 1000 sq feet to accommodate my possessions. The largest one bedroom suites ran about 500 to 700 sq ft.

The brochures assured that living in a senior condo was less expensive than owning a home. Not my case. I added up my home expenses and compared to apartment rents and living in my home was significantly less expensive.

The downside - I am responsible for property maintenance including snow shoveling, lawn mowing (now I have that done), plumbing, electrical and structural repairs.
 
Teacher Terry said:
When I bought my condo, I wanted to be on the third floor, which was the top floor so I didnā€™t have anybody walking over me. Of course it was necessary for the building to have an elevator. Your old place sounds really bad and even though thereā€™s some kind cond in the new place, I would definitely move there.

I have met a lot of people that live here by getting my mail in the lobby. Plus, you see people walking around, at the elevator, etc. I have found it pretty easy to meet people here.
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My community has a big variety of homes - hi-rise buildings, lower apartment houses (4 stories), cottages, patio homes, town houses, etc. When I first moved here, I thought I wanted a small house with a yard, but didn't see anything in good shape that appealed to me. I finally moved to one of the hi-rises, and I'm so glad I did.

You are never lonely in this kind of building, even if you live "alone." As you (Teacher Terry) said, just getting the mail or going down to the lobby is often a social occasion. For me, so is riding in the elevator (people always have quick, friendly chats in the 1 minute they are together), and some neighbors walk up and down the corridors daily for exercise. That's in addition to all the social activities. And one big plus is that you don't have to leave the building for a lot of the activities, regardless of weather, your ability to drive or even walk. Everyone I've discussed this with says they are so happy now that they opted for an apartment building, as it's so easy to make friends.

And when it snows, we can enjoy watching it without having to shovel anything!
 
Teacher Terry said:
When I bought my condo, I wanted to be on the third floor, which was the top floor so I didnā€™t have anybody walking over me. Of course it was necessary for the building to have an elevator. Your old place sounds really bad and even though thereā€™s some kind cond in the new place, I would definitely move there.

I have met a lot of people that live here by getting my mail in the lobby. Plus, you see people walking around, at the elevator, etc. I have found it pretty easy to meet people here.
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that's precisely what I want. An apartment with a lift... on the top floor so no-one making noise above me...I want something all on one floor, because it's getting more and more painful for me to go up and downstairs here..

In my life I've lived in 2 apartments both were top floor..one was just 2 floors high, the other was a tenement 4 floors high.... but having stayed in hotel rooms where there are people above, and being woken by furniture being dragged across the floor at some ungodly hour , or something heavy being dropped, or some child practicing their tap dancing... I have no intentions of ever having anyone living above me..
 

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