IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample 308 - Advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment

IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others feel that there are more advantages to living in an apartment. Are there more advantages than disadvantages of living in a house compared with living in an apartment?


Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer 1:
Growing urbanisation has led to the lacking of space and thus a large number of people are opting to live in apartments. However, some people still prefer to live in a house. This essay explores the advantages and disadvantages of both these style of living before coming to a logical conclusion.

Till a few decades back, living in individual houses was the most common norm. This was not only due to the fact that land was easily available but also due to the size of the family. The extended family lived and worked together. The house was generally accompanied with a large garden and ample space for the children to play. Even today, people living in houses prefer to do so because they value their privacy and need their own space. They also argue that they can build and design the house layout as per their convenience. However, living in a house comes with a high maintenance cost and extra effort.

However, this is an advantage that people living in an apartment value. The maintenance is taken care of by the society. There is a helpline number that you can call at any time of the day for any issue that you face. Besides, working parents also vouch for the safety of their children within such gated communities. The only discomfort faced by people living in apartments is the lack of privacy and space.

The choice of living in a house or in an apartment depends on factors such as availability, rental costs and need and hence a particular style of living cannot be deemed to be the better than the other.

[by Jayita]

Sample Answer 2:
A home is being considered as a paradise on the earth as it could be a destination after a hectic day. These days we have multiple options for the home, like an independent house or an apartment. Different people have different views in choosing a type of accommodation.

Firstly, let us look at the pros and cons of the house. An independent house is always considered as a status symbol. This could be one of the reasons that majority of the film stars own a house rather than a flat. Another advantage could be; a personalised space is gained by living in a house. You are the owner of the area so you can change it as per your convenience. However, the personal space could be quite expensive. It is known that houses are more expensive than an apartment. At times a house might not be a safe place to live. For example, it is not surprising to read news about murder and robbery in the villas these days.

Nevertheless, it is a fact that the apartment concept is widely accepted by the society, so its benefits cannot be ignored. Though, living in an apartment could be noisy sometimes, it is a safe place to live in. For instance, a thief would think twice before entering into a place where many people are living. Moreover, a security guard is easily affordable in an apartment compared to a house.

An apartment could be a good option for people who like to socialise more. For example, a conversation started with a simple hello, turns into a long hour chats. You tend to meet different kinds of people so there are higher chances of finding alike minded people in apartments. In this global world, people stay away from their families because of work. However, a party organised by the apartments secretaries could make people feel like celebrating festivals with families.

I believe, it is an individual's choice to decide a kind of place to live. However, being a very social person I would prefer to live in an apartment.

[by Naaz]

Sample Answer 3:
With the rapid population explosion, an increasing number of properties have been built in many bustling cities. However, a recent poll shows that people prefer dwelling in apartments than to living in houses. I also think that living in an apartment has more advantages though living in houses has some benefits as well.

As for hunting an ideal vocation, living in an apartment near the commercial centre is the best choice. First, we are offered more choices on transportations and we can save time on commuting. Moreover, we don't need to worry about any housebreaking burglary when leaving for a certain time, since our apartments are protected by the management company. Furthermore, there are fewer cockroaches and mosquitoes if we live in higher floors.

Nevertheless, people who tend to live in a house have a desire to enjoy the tranquillity. We are given more free space such as rooms, car parking, and garden. At the mean time, we can also invite friends to hold a big party without worrying that may bother the neighbours.

However, when living in an apartment, it's hard for us to rent a parking spot. We need to pay parking fee monthly which costs a considerable amount of income. However, it's stressful for the middle-class family to buy a house since it's pricey.

All in all, it depends on personal current situations to consider whether we should buy a house or an apartment, but in my opinion, I have to say the apartment is more suitable for people who live in a modern city.

[ Written by – Shirley ]

Sample Answer 4:




[Written by - Darwin Lesmana]

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+2 # Gull Mohammad Ahmadi 2016-05-04 20:30
Good views and important points about living in a house or in an apartment. Helpful essay.
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