There isn’t very much working dads wouldn’t do for their families, and this sometimes extends to commuting long distances for work, on both a temporary and even permanent basis. Being away from home is never easy, and when you factor in the endless characterless hotels that are needed to make situations like this tenable without uprooting the entire family, it can quickly make for quite a depressing situation.
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But there is another way. How about having your own little slice of home away from home, a place to call your own even when you’re longing to be back with the family? Such a thing does exist, as the demand for studio apartments with all bills included has soared in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at what this means and how effective it can be at making long-term commuting more bearable.
What Is a Studio To Rent With Bills Included?
A studio to rent with all bills included is exactly as it sounds. It’s an apartment that you can rent, often for short-, medium- or long-term occupation as required, that includes everything you need for a comfortable life. They have been popping up in cities and towns up and down the UK for a few years now and offer a private studio apartment that often includes an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette, a bed and sofa, storage space and also a swathe of other shared facilities aimed at making life on the road that little bit more bearable.
The ‘all bills included’ is intended to make it clear to occupants that there’s only one monthly payment for the studio and that it includes all essential charges, making financial tracking much easier. This single payment will usually include rent, utilities, internet, housekeeping and security.
It’s not dissimilar to a quality hotel in many respects, except the facilities are almost always more luxurious and your studio is a private space just for you, for the full length of the lease, even if you’re only using it part time. Plus, of course, it’s a much more affordable preposition than block booking a hotel room for weeks, months or even years.
Studios with All Bills Included: What Other Facilities Are Included?
There are many different facilities across the country that offer studio apartments of this nature, and they will all offer slightly different facilities. We’ve taken a look at one such complex right in the heart of the England, TheStudios in Wolverhampton, to give you more of an idea of what to expect outside the privacy of your apartment:
- Bar and Restaurant: Dads on the road tend to like things easy, so having an on-site bar and restaurant for all food and drink requirements is a big attraction. Some may have supplementary entertainment too, like pool tables and live sport.
- Laundry Facility: For some, this may be unnecessary if commuting is happening only during the week. Those away for longer will need somewhere close and convenient to ensure clothes and linens can be kept clean and fresh.
- Private Gym: It’s tough enough staying in shape when you’re on the road all the time, so an on-site residents-only gym can be a big attraction to working dads. It’s certainly not something you often get with budget hotels.
- Big Screen Entertainment: Staying entertained and distracted while away from home is an important part of getting through the week, so some facilities will have a cinema room for big screen film, TV and videogaming.
- Shared Kitchen: Studio apartments themselves rarely have full kitchens built in, but they do often have well-equipped kitchens shared between just a handful of other residents. It makes for a great social hub without things getting overwhelming.
- A Sense of Community: It’s not impossible to meet the same people when living out of hotels, but it’s virtually guaranteed when you make the switch to a studio with all bills included. Social interaction is essential when away from the family for so long.
It’s worth pointing out too that these apartment complex buildings offer different sizes and tiers of accommodation to further help meet your budgeting and comfort needs.
The Pros and Cons of Studio Apartments with All Bills Included
Before we conclude, it’s worth looking at the overall pros and cons of studio apartments, as not all working dads necessarily want the same things when away from the family.
The Pros
Aside from being much simpler to budget for, ‘all bills included’ studios also tend to give you more time to spend relaxing as so many of the day-to-day facilities you need are often under the same roof. Exclusive residents-only facilities obviously sweeten the deal, especially the idea of a gym that’s only for use by residents. Studios to rent with bills included take away much of the admin of long-term commuting and – the cherry on the cake – provide significantly more privacy than hotel living.
The Cons
There aren’t too many, but it’s worth pointing out the ‘all bills included’ line tends to apply to the apartment itself and most of the facilities in the building. Parking, a TV license and many other things you may rely on outside the remit of the apartment will not be included. It’s also not always as easy to welcome friends, family and colleagues into the building, though some places allow it. Finally, some dads may be just as happy with a comfortable hotel room and the bare minimum of facilities.
So, Is It the Way To Go?
While facilities will vary between different buildings and cities, the overall idea of a studio apartment with all bills included sounds like an inviting value proposition for hard working dads who work away from home a lot. A little research will go a long way, so maybe the perfect apartment for easier living is just around the corner.