What Are Mixed Use Apartments? + Pros & Cons

If you’ve been looking for a new place to live, you may have stumbled upon listings for mixed-use apartments. These buildings are often attractive to renters who love living an urban lifestyle. However, before you sign a lease, learn more about mixed-use apartment buildings, what to look for, and their benefits and downsides.

What Is Mixed-Use Development?

Mixed-use apartment buildings are usually found in urban dwellings or areas with commercial space. As the name implies, they provide more than one use or purpose. For example, the bottom floor may offer office, retail, or restaurant space. Upstairs, you’ll find residential units or private apartments. Sometimes private dwellings are found in the back of the buildings behind the businesses.

Pros of a Mixed-Use Development

Here are some of the benefits of living in a mixed-use development.

Convenience

Convenience is a significant benefit of living in a mixed-use apartment building. You can walk right downstairs to hit the gym, a deli, restaurant, pub, or anything else that’s part of your building or block. So you’re never far from what you need.

Location

You’ll typically find mixed-use developments in dense urban areas that are in the middle of the action. You’re often Downtown or in the heart of the city with everything at your fingertips. You’ll save tons of time and money by skipping the commute. You can also plan ahead and look for mixed-use developments near your workplace so you can live, work, and play in the same area.

Public Transportation

Although it’s not always the case when living in a mixed-use apartment, public transportation is typically nearby. You can walk to a subway, train, or bus station to get to work or across town. Some cities also offer free shuttles that connect you to popular tourist areas Downtown.

If your community isn’t near transportation, there are still upsides to living in a mixed-use development. For example, you’re more likely to have quick access to ride shares and bike paths to get everywhere you want to go.

Efficiency

Many of the newer mixed-use developments are energy efficient and thoughtfully planned to save resources for the city and tenants. As a result, you reduce your electricity and natural gas consumption when living in a more efficient building, meaning your utilities will probably drop.

Beyond living a greener lifestyle, living in a mixed-use apartment also incorporates more efficiency in your daily routine. For example, you’re more likely to walk to work or public transportation, walk downstairs to eat instead of driving across town, and have quick access to grocery stores and pubs.

Cons of a Mixed-Use Development

Now that you know the benefits of living in a mixed-use apartment, let’s learn more about the potential downsides.

Noise

Not everyone is sensitive to noise, but mixed-use developments are often heavily trafficked by pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. You’re might live above an area where festivals or parades pass through. However, you can always ask about an apartment that faces away from the busiest street to enjoy more peace and quiet.

Privacy

When you live in the middle of an urban area, there’s always someone around. Your new neighbors are in the apartments around you, the restaurant or doctor’s office downstairs, and the coffee shop you can see directly out your window. You may love all the action when you visit the neighborhood for an evening but think carefully about what type of mixed-use development will work for you if you need privacy.

Foot Traffic

Heavy foot traffic lends itself to noise and a lack of privacy and can feel cumbersome to live around. When you walk downstairs to go to work, you may find yourself swept up in a rush of people trying to get on with their day. Vendors delivering supplies often unload their idling trucks or wheel dollies past your front door. You may not like the feeling that you have no open space or that your doorstep belongs to the entire city.

Lack of Parking

If you plan to keep a car in the city, you will likely face challenges living in a mixed-use building. Parking is usually limited or comes with an expensive price tag. Make sure you have a plan, whether it’s relying on a nearby garage or street parking a few blocks away.

Things to Look For in a Mixed-Use Development

Now that you know what to expect from mixed-use developments, here’s what to look for before you move forward.

Front Desk

A front desk is a must-have in a mixed-use apartment. You may have people trying to walk in off the street who think your building is part of the pub or the boutique. Safety can also be an issue when you have vendors, contractors, and people coming in and out of businesses all day who have access to your building. A front desk ensures all visitors check in and out and encourages safety.

Security

Like a front desk, some extra security is essential in a mixed-use development. Whether the building has a keypad for entry or a security guard, it will give you greater peace of mind to have safety measures in place. Ask the property manager about a security system in your apartment to feel secure in your new home.

Neighbors

Local businesses are your neighbors in a mixed-use apartment. Get an idea of which businesses you’re okay living above and what your commercial neighbors are like. For example, you may be fine living above a bike shop but not next door to a noisy sports bar.

Finding a Mixed-Use Apartment Building

Finding a mixed-use apartment is often as easy as going Downtown or your favorite urban neighborhood and looking around. It’s also wise to check out the area on a weekend night when it will be the most lively. Gage how loud it is if people are standing outside talking or if music is pouring out of the restaurants and pubs. Check out the listings on Apartment List in advance to see which buildings and units may be available.

Final Thoughts

Are you ready to find a mixed-use building? A mixed-use apartment building could be the perfect setting for you. Enjoy convenience, location, and a lively neighborhood right from your doorstep. Sign-up with Apartment List to find your next home.