Many people, including me, have lived in basement apartments at one time or another. And with people seeking second incomes in these tough times, several people are renovating their basements to generate a few extra bucks. If you are looking for a place to stay, I can say from experience: avoid a basement, if possible, at all costs. Living down there will suck the soul out of you. Even as I write this and think of the last basement I lived in, I cringe and get an uncomfortable feeling.
Living in a basement apartment will present numerous challenges and potential health risks, both physically and mentally. While these spaces can be affordable and offer privacy, the trade-offs often include conditions far from ideal for healthy living. Here, we delve into how basement apartments will negatively impact physical and mental health.
Basement apartments often suffer from inadequate ventilation; there is no breeze to air things out. The air stagnates. This will lead to a buildup of pollutants and allergens, such as mold spores, dust mites, and radon. Mold, in particular, thrives in damp, dark environments, which are common in basements. Mold exposure can cause respiratory issues, allergies, and, in severe cases, toxic mold syndrome. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into basements from the soil, is a known carcinogen linked to lung cancer.
They can be noisy as hell. Those who often refurbish a basement to rent it out usually forget a key factor: noise from the stomping that goes on upstairs. I experienced this once when the person above tore out the thick, sound-absorbing carpets and decided to put in hardwood floors. He then delayed putting in the hardwood floors, so all I heard was STOMP STOMP STOMP, and every conversation he had was as if he and whomever were ten feet away. I quickly moved out as the noise was unbearable, and I didn’t sleep much thanks to him stomping to the bathroom at 2 a.m. every night to do his business.
Natural light is crucial for maintaining physical health, particularly in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms, which affect sleep patterns. Basement apartments typically have small or nonexistent windows, leading to insufficient exposure to daylight. Lack of sunlight will result in Vitamin D deficiency, essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. During my basement years, I consumed vast quantities of Vitamin D to compensate for the lack of natural light, but the overall environment and small windows limited its effectiveness. I was rarely there, except to sleep, because of the minimal light. This also left me in a state of constant exhaustion.
Basements can be challenging to heat and cool efficiently. Compared to above-ground living spaces, they are often colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. These temperature extremes can be uncomfortable and may lead to health issues such as colds, flu, or heat exhaustion. Additionally, using space heaters or inadequate cooling systems can pose fire hazards.
Basements are typically closer to utility rooms and mechanical systems, leading to increased exposure to noise and vibrations from HVAC units, water pipes, and other machinery. Prolonged exposure to such noise can contribute to hearing loss, increased stress levels, and sleep disturbances.
Then there are the mental health challenges of living in a basement. Living in a basement will create a sense of isolation from the outside world. Limited windows and natural light, combined with feeling “underground,” can contribute to a sense of confinement, claustrophobia, and disconnection. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression, particularly for individuals who already struggle with these issues. While others talk about their big bay windows and a nice breeze coming through several open windows, you’re down in a health hazard, slowly unraveling.
The lack of natural light in basement apartments will contribute to the development of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year, typically in winter. Reduced sunlight can disrupt the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood, and melatonin, which influences sleep patterns. Symptoms of SAD include low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. This will affect you even in the summer, and while SAD lights may help, nothing beats a flood of natural light coming into your home.
The physical conditions of a basement apartment, such as dampness, mold, and poor air quality, can cause chronic stress and anxiety. Constant worry about potential health hazards and physical discomfort will take a toll on mental well-being. Additionally, the sense of isolation and confinement will heighten anxiety, particularly in individuals prone to claustrophobia. One will often get a sense of, I’ve gotta get out of here, not just for the day, but permanently.
The isolated nature of basement living can limit social interactions. Being physically removed from communal areas, the natural comings and goings of neighbors, and life in general can reduce opportunities for social engagement. Social interaction is vital for mental health, providing emotional support, companionship, and a sense of community.
Overall, the combined physical and mental health challenges associated with basement apartments will lead to a lower quality of life. The constant exposure to suboptimal living conditions will diminish overall well-being and happiness. Individuals may find themselves struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, in such environments, knowing that at the end of each day, they have to walk downstairs and deal with the numerous challenges of living in a basement.
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