Would You Seriously Buy an Apartment Near a Hospital?

Apartment

 

In today’s real estate and property market more and more individuals are looking at apartments as more practical solutions to their need for a home. While some would still pretty much prefer a single detached property complete with lawn and backyard, the modern convenience of living in an apartment, especially if it is located in the city centre and near utilities and public infrastructure, nevertheless provide a more enticing option.

However, as in any other human activity, you need to understand that there are some things to consider before buying an apartment. Location is one thing and while this is not really a problem if it is located within the city centre and just a few blocks away from major conveniences like shopping malls, restaurants, theme parks, entertainment houses, and the like, it may be quite a challenge if it were located right next to a hospital.

Apartments near hospitals will have to contend with three things: the large volume of traffic going to and from the hospital, the potential noise of ambulance sirens every now and then, and the possibility of infectious diseases spreading into the neighbouring areas.

If you buy an apartment near a hospital, the first thing you will have to consider is the size of the hospital, its reputation, and any plans for future expansion. Traffic to hospitals can be quite heavy especially if the apartment complex shares a road with the hospital. There will be plenty of cars of patients’ families and visitors going to and from the hospital. And if the apartment shares a road with the hospital, then you might find it quite challenging and frustrating if cars are backed up to the main road simply because cars are no longer accommodated in the hospital’s parking lot. Now, if the apartment complex has a different road access then this should not really be a problem.

The next thing you have to consider, however, is the development plans of the hospital. Hospitals today are expanding both in terms of the services that they provide but also in their infrastructure. An increase in healthcare services provided can also see a dramatic increase in patient admissions even in an outpatient setting. Day hospitals will often require expanded facilities. The point is that for big hospitals, they surely will be thinking of expanding. The question now is how will this expansion plans affect apartment living? If the hospital decides to put up another hospital building next to your apartment complex, how will it affect your peace and quiet? There will surely be a lot of heavy machinery working round the clock so you might not be able to sleep that well.

Buying an apartment near a hospital means that you must be prepared to listen to the sirens of ambulances rushing patients to the emergency room department of the hospital. While ambulance drivers are obliged to turn off their sirens once they reach hospital premises, their sirens can nevertheless be heard for several city blocks. If this will not bother you and you actually find it pleasing, then an apartment near a hospital is just perfect for you.

The last consideration is quite far-fetched actually. Hospitals have excellent containment facilities such that all harmful and infectious microorganisms are effectively contained in the hospital itself. Unfortunately, microorganisms are so small that you simply won’t know if there are already harmful pathogens in the air that you breathe. Hospitals are places where sick people go. Unfortunately, even before they reach the hospital, they may already be spreading harmful and infectious microorganisms in the air. While there is a dearth of evidence suggesting that living near hospitals can substantially increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases, common sense will often indicate that it is a highly likely possibility. Just imagine a person who has some airborne viral infection but he doesn’t know it yet and he goes to the hospital. From his home to the hospital, he might already be spreading the airborne pathogen. While of course getting sick this way is quite nil, it nevertheless poses a big question as to the viability of living near a hospital.

Should you buy an apartment near a hospital, you need to make sure it does not share the same road as the hospital. Additionally, it should be at least a few blocks away from the hospital’s outer perimeter. Checking any developmental plans of the hospital can also help you make an intelligent decision.

Living in an apartment can have many benefits. The cost of maintenance is generally lower in an apartment since it is done by the property management. Apartment living also provide excellent access to modern conveniences such as shopping complexes and entertainment centres as well as other places where the whole family can have fun. When it comes to maintenance and improvement, you need not spend for this because property owner takes responsibility on the expenditure. It is this convenience that is making individuals decide to buy an apartment, even though it is near a hospital, instead of a single detached home.

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