Apartment Living, Part I

Apartment blocks are a common feature of modern times.




They provide a compact means of housing many people on one relatively small piece of land.


In areas where there's a shortage of space it's inevitable that there will be many apartment buildings.

Large numbers of people live under the same roof often knowing only a very few, if any, of their immediate neighbors. Society has come to be segmented with many people living in relative isolation to those around them. Communities used to be bound by the proximity of families, business and friends. These days many of these elements of a community are scattered over large distances and aren't necessarily present locally.

There can be great advantages to living in apartments. Some blocks have pleasant grounds where children can play safely. Heating and maintenance are usually more economical than they are for a house.Shops, schools, community centers and public transport are often located nearby.

Apartment blocks come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Some are very modern looking, others have been around a while and retain an old city look.










Some are quite glaringly dashing and impossible to overlook.








Others have a simple, quiet homely appearance.











Some apartments are mixed right in with businesses in the main part of a city.



These look more like large town houses rather than apartment blocks. And even though they're in the center of a city they have a charm that adds to their convenience.






These apartments are more in the tradition of the old town style, with shops down below. The colorful shutters add a great flavor to the outside, making it bright and fun to look at. It's surprising how the quaintness of this gives the scene a feeling of calmness; there's little clue that just round the corner is one of the busiest streets in the city.

The exteriors of apartments, and the types of buildings they're in, greatly influence the feel of a neighborhood.

For more about apartments, stay tuned for Part II.