It’s a popular question among buyers today, and even more popular in a dense city like Philadelphia.

What it really comes down to is, “What do you want?” What area of Philadelphia do you want to live in? What is your price range? Do you want a yard? Are you looking for amenities (i.e. gym, pool, etc.)? Maintenance or no maintenance? High-rise or low-rise? These questions are only the tip of the iceberg.

Personally, I have lived in a condo for close to a decade now and there is nothing I would change about it. There is no exterior maintenance needed, some of my utilities are included, and there are 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor) and a gym on site. These were things I wanted when I was searching for a home back in 2003, and they’re still things that I appreciate today. But not everyone wants the same things I want, so this is why I posed the question.

Some buyers would rather not buy at all than share a wall with another homeowner. It’s completely understandable, and it comes down to personal taste. Your best bet is to look at both options in person, and then decide what might be the right option for you.

Sometimes you are forced to go one way or the other due to prices, fees, etc.; but you’ll never know unless you look.