Condo Living

November 6, 2025 Published by Huronia Chapter - By Debbie Dale

Grounded or Elevated: How Your Condo Type Shapes Your Sense Of Home

From the CCI Huronia Fall 2025 Condo Buzz Newsletter

Across Ontario, more and more people are embracing condominium living. Whether you’ve downsized from a detached home, bought your first property, or simply wanted to simplify life without yard work and experience life with less chores to do, condo ownership offers community, convenience, and shared responsibility. But not all condominiums feel the same — and the type of condo you live in can quietly shape your sense of well-being.

Two of the most common condominium forms are townhouse condominiums and apartment-style condominiums. Managing these two types of condominium corporations is very similar. The common elements are different, however, leading to increased condo fees for townhouses over apartments at times in the property life cycle. Both are governed by the same Condominium Act, both involve shared ownership of common elements, and both can offer vibrant, well-managed communities. Yet, the day-to-day experience of living in each can be strikingly different — not just in structure, but in how they connect us to the world around us.

Townhouse Condominiums: Staying Grounded

Townhouse condominiums typically resemble rows of homes with private entrances and sometimes small patios or yards. Residents can step directly outside, hear neighbourhood sounds, or wave to a neighbour walking by. This connection to the ground — to the physical world right outside one’s door — contributes more than convenience. It supports emotional balance.

Many townhouse residents say they feel more “in touch” with their surroundings. You might open your door to fresh air, see children at play, or plant a few flowers by your steps in a planter if doing so falls within the rules for your property. These simple, tactile interactions with the outdoors can have meaningful psychological benefits. Environmental psychologists have long observed that access to nature and sunlight reduces stress, improves sleep, and helps people feel more rooted in their communities.

Living closer to the ground often encourages casual encounters — quick chats in the driveway, greetings on the walkway — that foster a subtle sense of belonging. These brief connections can quietly support mental health and help build the neighbourly relationships that make a condominium community thrive.

Apartment Condominiums: Elevated Convenience

Apartment-style condominiums offer a different experience. Residents live in “stacked” environments, often many floors above the ground. This vertical style of living provides benefits that townhouse-style condos can’t match — panoramic views, secure access, and indoor amenities that make daily life effortless. For many, this lifestyle offers a welcome sense of calm and order. Waiting for the elevator to land while checking the electronic bulletin scrolling in front of you or checking email or social media is, for some, no issue at all.

However, living farther from the earth can also create a degree of detachment. The hum of daily life grows faint; people below look smaller. Some residents find this quiet, insulated environment peaceful, while others may notice an increased sense of separation — both from nature and from spontaneous social interaction.*

Research into biophilic design — the study of how our environment affects our mental state — shows that humans are deeply influenced by proximity to natural elements. Those living higher above the ground may need to make intentional choices to stay connected: spending time outdoors, joining community activities, or simply opening a window to let in fresh air and sound.

Finding the Right Fit

There is no right or wrong choice between a townhouse condominium and an apartment-style one. The key is recognizing how each environment aligns with your personality and lifestyle. Ask yourself:

• Do you feel happiest when you can step outside, garden, or greet neighbours face-to-face?
• Or do you thrive in quiet privacy, enjoying a panoramic view of the world below?
• Do you need space for a pet, easy outdoor access, or a personal sense of “groundedness”?
• Or do you prefer the simplicity, security and convenience of elevated living?

Condominium living is not just about property ownership — it’s about how we live in relationship to others and to our surroundings. Whether your home rises high above the skyline or rests gently at ground level, understanding how environment shapes experience can help each of us live more fully, and more mindfully, within our condominium communities.

*“High-Rise Apartments and Urban Mental Health” by D. L. Lacombe, 2019
*“Is Living in a High-Rise Building Bad for your Self-Rated Health?” by P. Veraeghe et al, 2016

Debbie Dale
MCRS Property Management