Basement accommodation - disadvantages and advantages

[grouvvy]

Experts, sorry for this vague question. I am moving to Calgary in the last week of August and have this basic question.

I see lots of advertisements for basement accommodation. And basement flats are noted to be cheaper when compared to others. What are the advantages and disadvantages of basement accommodation ? Sorry for this very basic question.

 

[scylla]

Disadvantage is that part of your apartment is below ground, windows are typically smaller and the ceilings are sometimes lower than normal. Advantage is the cheaper price. That's pretty much it.

 

[steaky]

Basements are generally cooler when compared to others.

 

[Line.a]

I lived in a basement suite before moving into our own place. Didn't like it one bit. It's darker, windows are small like Scylla said and when winter comes creeping around you're waiting to wear 5 layers of clothing. But summer is good... Nice and cool

 

[emamabd]

I lived in a basement suite before moving into our own place. Didn't like it one bit. It's darker, windows are small like Scylla said and when winter comes creeping around you're waiting to wear 5 layers of clothing. But summer is good... Nice and cool

what about air ventilation? is it easy to get fresh air with those small sized windows or not?

 

[steaky]

what about air ventilation? is it easy to get fresh air with those small sized windows or not?

It really depends on the structure of the house and surroundings. Some are more easy to get fresh air than others.

 

[Line.a]

what about air ventilation? is it easy to get fresh air with those small sized windows or not?

In the basement we lived in there was good ventilation but.... The owner of the house decided to smoke inside so it all actually got down to us downstairs... Made me furious since I'm a non smoker so all my clothes smelt like it lol. We moved to a 3rd floor condo which is great in winter, but it is unbearably hot these days since its pointing to the west...

 

[marrgo]

Experts, sorry for this vague question. I am moving to Calgary in the last week of August and have this basic question.

I see lots of advertisements for basement accommodation. And basement flats are noted to be cheaper when compared to others. What are the advantages and disadvantages of basement accommodation ? Sorry for this very basic question.

If you can live with little to no natural light and have no problem with cold inside during the winter and you are not a tall person, you should do fine in a basement

 

[Line.a]

I wish but I'm not allowed to work just yet.

 

[rizmayo]

anyone looking for job please contact me i have 3 stores and looking for help

I am seeing this request on every post I click.. what kind of job are you offering, that you are having such difficulty in filling? ??? ??? ???

 

[emamabd]

I am seeing this request on every post I click.. what kind of job are you offering, that you are having such difficulty in filling? ??? ??? ???

I think he's just spamming the forum

 

[Hasher]

what about air ventilation? is it easy to get fresh air with those small sized windows or not?

Basements are good to live (with price) if good walkout basement and not just underground basement.

 

[rizmayo]

Basements are good to live (with price) if good walkout basement and not just underground basement.

What is a walkout basement?

Regards,

 

[steaky]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basement#Daylight_basement


A daylight basement or a "walk-out basement" is contained in a house situated on a slope, so that part of the floor is above ground, with a doorway to the outside. The part of the floor lower than the ground can be considered the true basement area. From the street, some daylight basement homes appear to be one storey. Others appear to be a conventional two storey home from the street (with the buried, or basement, portion in the back). Occupants can walk out at that point without having to use stairs. For example, if the ground slopes downwards towards the back of the house, the basement is at or above grade (ground level) at the back of the house. It is a modern design because of the added complexity of uneven foundations; where the basement is above grade, the foundation is deeper at that point and must still be below the frostline.

 

[emamabd]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basement#Daylight_basement


A daylight basement or a "walk-out basement" is contained in a house situated on a slope, so that part of the floor is above ground, with a doorway to the outside. The part of the floor lower than the ground can be considered the true basement area. From the street, some daylight basement homes appear to be one storey. Others appear to be a conventional two storey home from the street (with the buried, or basement, portion in the back). Occupants can walk out at that point without having to use stairs. For example, if the ground slopes downwards towards the back of the house, the basement is at or above grade (ground level) at the back of the house. It is a modern design because of the added complexity of uneven foundations; where the basement is above grade, the foundation is deeper at that point and must still be below the frostline.

quite interesting, its almost "not" a basement, but i guess the majority of basements are those with the low ceiling and extremely tiny windows :'(