Apartment living offers better social life

Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta

There are many reasons why people prefer to live in houses rather than apartments. Besides apartments generally being more expensive, people fear losing the friendly environment of a traditional residential area.

But for those who have stayed in an apartment for a long time, living in an apartment complex gives residents an opportunity to have a better social life.

Career woman Lianita, who has lived in an apartment for years, says that the perception that a social life is nonexistent in an apartment block is not at all true.

"Although most of tenants have tight schedules, they still have enough spare time to socialize with each other. I usually play indoor sports with fellow residents or meet them at an occasional event held by the management," she said.

She said that the type of social life in an apartment complex might be different to that of traditional residential areas. "But in terms of quality, the relationship between tenants in an apartment complex might be better," she said.

According to Nieke P. Handayani, communications and marketing manager of the Aston Hotel, apartment tenants have a better opportunity to get to know other residents compared to those living in a traditional residential area.

"They may, for an example, bump into other while waiting for the elevator, or at other places in the complex. Again, it depends on the individual. People who live in houses can be more individualistic than those who live in apartments," she said.

Tenants in Aston's serviced apartments usually stay between one month and three years.

Tenants in Aston's serviced apartments, for example, often hold informal gatherings, play tennis together or work out in the apartment's fitness club.

To help the tenants become better acquainted, the management of the Aston Hotel holds a quarterly thematic cocktail party for long-term guests.

"All tenants of the serviced apartments are invited to join in. This gathering enables guests to meet and greet each other, share information, and so on," she said.

The residents are asked to dress according to the theme of the cocktail party, such as "Black and White Party", "One Night at Waikiki Beach", and "Jungle Night".

Besides dining together, there are also games where gifts, like ties or key rings, are given out. "In the wheel of fortune, everybody gets a chance to win, besides the grand prize of a trip to Bali. We cooperate with the Aston Hotel in Bali," Nieke said.

With a concept of "a city within a city", the Aston Hotel also has facilities like a playground, kindergarten, travel agent, money changer, sidewalk cafe, minimarket and VCD rental.

Residents of the Garden Wing Serviced Apartments at the Borobudur Hotel can interact during cocktail parties for long-term guests, held three times a year, and at the members gathering, also held three times a year. Kerensa Langitan, one of the residents, says the cocktail parties allow the tenants to congregate in a fun and relaxed environment, which strengthens their relationships while relieving stress.

"Most of us meet during workouts at the gym or while sunbathing by the pool," she said, adding that most of the residents were close to each other, partly because many of them were from the same company.

Borobudur Hotel provides complete indoor and outdoor health facilities, including six tennis courts, three squash courts, a 700-meter jogging track, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a three- in-one court that can be utilized for basketball, badminton and volleyball and a mini soccer field.