The most important things to consider if you’re trying to decide whether you should rent a house rather than an apartment are costs and amenities. And while this may sound simple, there are hidden costs in renting houses that aren’t readily apparent. For the most part, renting a house tends to be more expensive than renting an apartment. At the same time, there are also some wonderful benefits in houses to rent versus apartments. Start out by making a list of the pros and cons of renting a house or an apartment, and see which list has the features you want at a cost that won’t break the bank.

If you have kids, pets , or both, a house will provide you with more room, inside and out. Houses tend to have larger living spaces than apartments, including bigger bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, closets, yards and storage space. A spacious, safe backyard is a wonderful place for children to place and pets to roam. Your house might even come with a family room or playroom. And while you may have to pay extra for a parking space in an apartment complex, you’ll be able to park in your own garage or driveway if you rent a house. Bear in mind though, that while most apartment building landlords pay for garden, yard, or pool maintenance, if you’re renting a house, yard work and gardening will most likely be your responsibility. The same goes for shoveling snow from your sidewalks and driveway.

Renting an apartment also often means free Internet cable and wireless service as well as trash removal, while landlords often expect house renters to pay for these services, along with utilities. Apartment complexes frequently include swimming pools and workout rooms; if you rent a home with a pool you will be responsible for its upkeep, but you may have enough space to use a treadmill or exercise bike at home.

Another benefit to renting a house is more privacy. Since you won’t be sharing walls with your neighbors, living in a rental home should be quiet most of the time. And you won’t have to worry that your crying baby or active toddler is bothering the downstairs tenants. You’ll also have more freedom to be creative when you’re renting a house; most owners don’t mind if you decide to paint the walls a different color, hang new window coverings, and plant a vegetable garden. Note, however, that these are also additional costs.