Houston Chronicle Sunday

Lock-and-leave lifestyle appeals to high-rise residents

- By Valerie Sweeten

Imagine a home with no responsibi­lities except for paying your bills and opening your door to pick up the daily paper on the doorstep.

Living in a high-rise can be as simple as this. What’s known as a “lock-andleave lifestyle” is exactly what can be expected when choosing a high-rise for your home.

Excellent locations throughout the city be found, most with desirable walkable options close to cultural events, shopping, restaurant­s and services — and area high-rises provide many options that a regular home does not.

According to EricEstate.com, the lock-and-leave lifestyle has found favor with millennial­s, Gen-Xers and baby boomers who are craving this lifestyle.

Amenities provide the appeal, making their lives easier and therefore granting the ability to be on the go with no worries. Having the confidence that all is well while you’re gone allows for peace of mind and can be seen as a newfound personal freedom.

Developer Jacob Sudoff’s column on InTownMag.com also reported finding the lock-and-leave lifestyle to be a coveted aspect of residing in a high-rise.

He stated that it is the low-maintenanc­e, convenient lifestyle attached to a fixed cost of ownership that this demographi­c finds most appealing.

There’s no yard to keep up with, no home repairs to contend with, no security issues to worry about, in addition to having a quality of life that’s easily attainable.

So basically, you can leave behind the chores and do what you like.

Molly Ann Kaplan, top producer with John Daugherty, Realtors, not only has the real estate experience of working with high-rise clients, but also has an insider’s perspectiv­e after residing in a high-rise herself for nearly 20 years.

Clients can find nearly every need taken care of, from the lobby, the entry, the garden and the party room, Kaplan said.

“Most people are downsizing and want to travel more,” Kaplan said. “Some are young, and most don’t have a big family. You also get a lot of privacy in a high-rise. It’s such an easy lifestyle. You don’t worry about the yard being cut, and you can walk the dog around trails in the back.”

The small things add up for high-rise residents to make their lock-and-leave approach even more in demand.

There’s typically a valet to take your car and a concierge to handle packages, as well as visitors. If you’re traveling, there won’t be a worry about either of these, as they’re easily handled for you.

For Kaplan, it’s been great peace of mind having a high-rise for a home where all your needs, especially security, come into play.

“Whenever I need my car, they bring it up for me. It’s wonderful. It’s super private, and you’ve got someone to lean on if you need to. I feel so safe. I love the security and not having to worry. It’s great. It really is,” she said.

 ?? Photo courtesy of TK Images ??
Photo courtesy of TK Images
 ?? Photo courtesy of TK Images ?? Villa d’Este, 1000 Uptown Park Blvd., provides a convenient location.
Photo courtesy of TK Images Villa d’Este, 1000 Uptown Park Blvd., provides a convenient location.
 ?? Photo courtesy of TK Images ?? With excellent locations throughout the city, high-rises such as The Houstonian, 121 N. Post Oak Lane, offer walkable options close to cultural events, shopping, restaurant­s and services.
Photo courtesy of TK Images With excellent locations throughout the city, high-rises such as The Houstonian, 121 N. Post Oak Lane, offer walkable options close to cultural events, shopping, restaurant­s and services.

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