Why community, amenities and wellness matters when choosing a rental
When it comes to choosing a rental in an apartment building or complex, it’s important to think beyond the unit itself. There can be so much more to renting than the actual space you’ll live within! If you want more than just 4 walls from your next rental, it’s important to get to know what the building/community has to offer its residents. For example, at Hazelview Properties we strive to make each of our communities feel like the best home/community our residents have ever had/been part of. That means we incorporate excellent amenities, wellness programs and facilities, and community living elements which enhance our residents’ daily experience, health and well-being. Not convinced this matters? Read on to learn why we think it’s essential.
Why community within rentals matter
As a renter, you’re probably going to be surrounded by a lot of other renters. These are your neighbours in an apartment complex, townhouse area, or condo building. You, of course, do not have to interact with these people on any more than a superficial level. You can ignore each other when you cross paths, simply passing each other like ships in the night. But what if life was a little bit better because you engaged and got to know each other a little or a lot? Think about being in high school again. That very first day where you might not have known anyone, or only a few people. Did you feel at home in your new school or did you feel on edge and a little alone? Didn’t things feel a whole lot better once you made some friends in the crowd? The poet William Butler Yeats said that “there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met.” We believe that your neighbours could be your next, best friends – or at least delightful new acquaintances. That’s why we build communities, not rentals. To develop these communities and make them thrive, we offer communal spaces, amenities and events where our residents can connect, rest and recharge – together. Places and scenarios where they can let their guard down, feel at ease and get to know each other and maybe even become friends. Friendship is a critical key to happiness.
What amenities are and why we offer them
Not all rentals have amenities. Sometimes you really are just renting an apartment unit in a building. Amenities for an apartment building or complex tend to include things like: onsite security; pools; gyms; party rooms; rooftop patios; onsite management; onsite maintenance; yoga studios; and helpful spaces and services like convenience stores and dog walking areas. Generally speaking, the better the rental, the better the amenities for its residents. We believe happiness starts at home, so we offer high quality amenities to make our residents’ lives easier, more relaxing and more entertaining. Amenities help our residents love where they live.
Do you really need amenities as a renter?
That is a very personal question. A building may have a ton of amenities that don’t interest you personally, or are redundant for you because you have access to external services like a gym membership offsite. Only you know what you need or like. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific amenities of a property or complex before you sign a lease to see if they appeal to you. Great amenities can make or break your rental experience. For example, if you rent a small apartment, having onsite access to communal spaces like lounges, gyms, yoga studios and workspaces where you can kick back, get some work done, rest, exercise and recharge beyond your unit can be a huge perk. If you can’t do those things within your unit, then you may find yourself spending a lot of money on similar services outside of your home instead. Having access to great building and community amenities that appeal to you can save you money and reduce the amount of time you need to spend out of your home.
Why wellness should be part of your rental experience
Let’s face it – most of us live fast-paced, hectic and modern lives. Because modern lifestyles are often tied to high levels of stress, and stress is a killer, wellness has never been more important. There are many ways to destress and achieve wellness and enhance your quality of life. You can do it by adopting healthy living habits like practising yoga and meditation, focusing on healthy eating, and walking or exercising outdoors. Where you live matters if you don’t have a lot of time for wellness activities. We recommend searching for a building or community that recognizes the importance of wellness by offering things like onsite yoga, spaces to meditate and exercise, easy access to nature and a generally peaceful environment.
We hope this post inspires you to factor in community, amenities and wellness when choosing a rental for yourself.
Ready to start a new chapter of your life in Ottawa? Elevated rental living is within reach at Story of Rideau & Chapel.
