Socially, residing in an apartment symbolizes youth and instability, and in many factual ways residing in an apartment also symbolizes a lack of security.
So why would anyone want to go through a residential relocation that is viewed as a step back down the ladder?
It's really quite simple. In many cases, this type of residential relocation is not so much a choice as an inability to financially keep up with the care of a house. While the prices of just about everything rises, more and more people are struggling to make ends meet. Many families have parents that moonlight (work two or more jobs) and even then, living in a house can be too expensive.
When this is the case, there is nothing wrong at all with the decision to move into an apartment! In fact, it is quite the contrary. Remaining in a house to appear successful is a foolish thing to do, when true financial responsibility involves living within your means.
In fact, this leads to another reason why a person would undergo a residential relocation from a house into an apartment. It may not be so much an inability to afford the constant upkeep of a house, but more the knowledge that residing in an apartment can in fact save you money. Who doesn't like to spend less?
When there is a repair needed in an apartment, it is the responsibility of a landlord, and this relief from the shoulders of the tenant is covered by a monthly bill (rent) that can often be less than the cost of a mortgage on a house.
There are many reasons to relocate from living in a house to living in an apartment. Perhaps you just don't need a house anymore. Once the kids leave for college, a house may offer too much extra space. At this point in life, many parents decide a residential relocation will offer the same sensation of moving forward in life.
Whatever your individual reason for planning a residential relocation from a house to an apartment may be, it is a change bigger than moving from one house to another house (or from one apartment to another apartment). This type of residential relocation is a complete change in lifestyle.
Returning to the social opinion, an apartment offers less commitment than a house. This gives you more freedom, and two of the most important things in life are freedom and living with in your individual needs.
Leaving a house for an apartment is a step forward, no matter how you look at it.
Q. I just moved to a house that was vacant for over a year and a few neighborhood cats think it's their territory. One of them is much bigger than my cat and has attacked my cat three times now even though my cat ran under the house to get away. Is there anything I can do to signal to these cats that this is not okay territory for them to be in anymore? When I'm here I yell and spray the hose but most of the time I'm not here. I've had to keep my cat indoors whenever I leave and this is not a good permanent solution. My cat is female and she is neutered. I believe that the other cats are non neutered males
A. It's a difficult question I'm afraid and one that is asked a lot. Whenever a new cat enters an area there is disruption and usually plenty of fights until everyone found their place. Your situation seems more difficult if these other cats consider your house to belong to them. The first thing to say is that given time things should improve, and one option is no action at all, wait until everything settles down naturally.
It will help if you are making it clear to these cats that you don't want them there. Water spraying and noise is a good plan to deter them. There are also a whole selection of other deterrents available, none of which I have had any experience of I'm afraid, but maybe worth a try, a lot of them seem to be electrical, upsetting intruders in various ways -if you can find one with a short range that you can use around your house (without affecting your cat, or the ones next door) then that could help move them on, or at least put them off trying to occupy your land. Do you have a catflap? They can work well to provide your cat with access to the safe haven of home and magnetic collars can give them their own key so noone else can come in. It doesn't solve your problem but it will make sure that whilst things are settling down your cat will have an escape route.
Do you think the cats are feral? If this is the case then you may be able to get a local animal charity or animal warden to remove them (depending on where you are. There are a lot of programs of stray animal capture, health checking and neutering which you may be able to point in the direction of your neighbourhood.
I should point out the health risks to your cat, bites can result in abscesses, and so any wounds should be treated by your vet. It is also essential to make sure she is fully vaccinated so that she is not put at greater risk from viral infections (especially if they are stray). Feliway, is a pheromone mimicker which will help to relax your cat during this stressful time, do not under-estimate stress, we know that in cats it can be responsible for many health issues. I suppose another option is to resign yourself to having a house cat, they can be just as happy, don't feel guilty in the shortterm, she is probably really glad that you have closed the door safely behind her. All the best, let me know how you get on.
Q. She has been suffering from cystitis recently. You say that stress can affect health. Do you think that these cats could be causing her cystitis?
A. Definitely, cystitis can be caused by infection, bladder stones, growths etc. but a large proportion are caused by stress.
Both Nir Dotan & Matthew Homfray are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.