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Why a Studio is a Great First Apartment

Yvonne Boulay
Ori Studios are perfect for your first apartment.

Studios aren’t meant to last forever. They’re a stepping stone to afford a larger space of your own in the future.

A studio apartment can be a great place to start for those who are unsure about their long-term living needs, living somewhere temporarily for school, or settling into a new city. 

We want to share with you the benefits of studio living and why they are great for a first apartment.

Affordable in Hidden Ways

If you’re just starting out in your career or living on your own for the first time, managing expenses is crucial. When buying or renting property, the price is affected by the square footage. Not only will studios be less expensive to rent than a one-bedroom, but they’re also less expensive to heat and cool. This means spending less on utilities and more money in your pocket.

Less square footage also means spending less money on furniture. Did you know that the average couch or dining room set can go for at least $1,000? The less expensive alternative would be buying pieces from Facebook Marketplace, but we’ve all heard enough horror stories to know it’s not the easiest solution. Furnishing a studio apartment can be more budget-friendly since you'll need fewer pieces of furniture. If you are just starting out and may not have a lot of furniture to begin with, it’s one less thing to worry about during your new life transition.

Safety is Key

If you’re used to living with roommates, there’s an extra sense of security knowing that someone is in the next room over. If you’re about to live on your own for the first time, a safe neighborhood or apartment complex might be at the top of your priority list. By renting a smaller apartment, you can spend at or below your budget and still have your first choice of location. One thing you should never compromise on is your safety.

Test “Before You Buy”

If you’re relocating to a new city, neighborhood guides and your friends’ recommendations will only give you part of the full picture. The only way to know if you truly want to call a new place home is to experience it yourself. If you rent a studio apartment, you have a temporary space to figure out your preferences and needs before committing and investing in a larger or more permanent living arrangement.

Less Time Cleaning

Living in a smaller space naturally encourages you to be mindful of what you own. This can help prevent excessive accumulation of belongings and promote a clutter-free living environment. With fewer rooms and less clutter, it's easier to keep a studio apartment clean and organized. This can make for a more stress-free living experience, especially for someone who is new to managing their own space. 

Moving Costs

Fewer things also means an easier move-in and move-out day! You won’t need to worry about renting a U-haul or dragging large dressers to a tiny elevator. If you’d rather hire out for help, local moving company costs fall between $912 and $2,531, or an average cost of $1,713. While it may be easy to not have to carry boxes in and out of your new place, there’s always a risk of your valuables getting damaged. For some, the price of a month’s rent is worth the convenience.

Financial Independence

Opting for a studio apartment can be a stepping stone toward financial independence. The lower rent and utility costs can allow you to save money and allocate resources to other important aspects of your life, like education or travel. If the sticking point of renting an apartment is that you’re worried about feeling cramped, just know that the money you save living in a smaller footprint can be spent on activities to spend more time outside of your apartment.

If your goal is to one day own a home, renting can also help you build your credit for a loan in the future. While you may not be able to directly report rent payments to credit bureaus, you can work with a rent reporting service to report it for you. You can read more about it here to weigh your options, but reporting your rental payment history may be worth the hoops to jump through.

No More Roommate Drama

Living alone means complete freedom to rest, work, and socialize when you please. If you’ve lived with roommates in college, you know it comes with added stress. Studio living means having your own space with your own rules. No more fights about the dishes in the sink, taking up too much room in the fridge, or making too much noise while you’re trying to sleep. It also gives you privacy you may not have had before. You’ll finally be able to rewatch The Office for the 15th time or play the same song for 20 minutes without judgement!

Ultimately, the decision to choose a studio apartment as your first apartment depends on your personal preferences and financial circumstances. It's essential to consider location, lifestyle, budget, and your long-term plans when making your choice.

While studio apartments might not be the best fit for everyone, you can still get the studio price tag with 1-bedroom living with Ori Expandable Apartments. 

With Ori, you get more space in the same amount of square footage, a great location, and the ability to host guests frequently with just a push of a button. Ori has Semi-Furnished apartments in over 50 cities with unique space-saving expandable furniture to allow you not only to move with ease, but to provide a reliable solution to save you time and money.

Explore Ori Semi-Furnished Expandable Studios now.