Singles are usually looking for 1-2-room housing as close to the center as possible. Couples without children prefer similar areas, but they are more interested in green areas and 2- or 3-room apartments. Families usually choose between a 3- or 4-room apartment and an individual house, but their choice of areas is wide – from quiet housing on the outskirts of Vilnius to a more attractive area closer to the center in terms of infrastructure.
Such housing purchase trends are observed by experts from the real estate development company Eika, who described each of the buyer segments.
Singles are looking for a place as close to the center as possible
According to Justinas Šavelskis, sales project manager at Eika, singles account for a very significant share of buyers in the projects sold by the company – about 21 percent. “Singles are usually people under 30 years of age. Their main criterion when choosing a home is to be as close to the center as possible. True, few people can afford to buy a home in the Old Town, so they look for areas with developed infrastructure close to the center. Singles with higher incomes are oriented towards Naujamiestis, Šnipiškis, Žirmūnai and Baltupai. These are well-developed areas with a wide selection of housing. From there, it is convenient to travel to shopping centers, educational institutions, and work, and the center is also easily accessible,” says the expert.
Lower-income individuals are looking for housing in dormitory areas, and Pilaitė has been the leader among them for the past 10 years. It is noted that single senior citizens often purchase apartments here.
Singles are usually looking for 1-2-room apartments, with an area of 30 to 50 sq. m. “In Vilnius, over the past 5 years, there has been an increase in demand for not 1, but 1.5-room apartments. This is like a one-room apartment, but with an individual sleeping space, i.e. the apartment is divided into two separate zones. When planning construction, developers try to assess the need for such housing,” says J. Šavelskis.
Experts estimate that for those planning to purchase a 30–50 sq m newly built apartment with full finishing in Pilaitė, the income of one person should reach from 650 to 1100 EUR per month. If they choose districts closer to the center, the stable monthly income should be from 850 to 1400 EUR.
Sales statistics show that every third single person buys a home with full finishing. According to experts, single people usually do not have enough savings to finish their home.
Couples are focusing on more spacious 2-room apartments
Couples who do not yet have children usually look for housing closer to the center in areas with well-developed infrastructure. Along with the Naujamiestis, Žirmūnai, Šnipiškės, and Baltupiai districts, one of the greenest districts in the capital, Antakalnis, is also added. Couples choose it because here they can walk with their pets, quickly reach the river or spend their free time in green areas, and it is only 20 minutes walk along the river to Vilnius Cathedral. Pilaitė is also among the most popular districts among couples.
According to the sales project manager of Eika, couples choose larger apartments than singles, they are already planning for the future. “Couples are focusing on larger 2-room apartments. They want to feel safe so that, if necessary, they can expand two rooms to three, so apartments with more windows are often chosen, and the possibility of installing a child’s bedroom is evaluated. Couples often consider between a 2-room 40-55 sq m apartment with a possible perspective for a third room and a full-fledged 3-room 55-60 sq m apartment with small but functional spaces,” says J. Šavelskis.
Experts calculate that if a couple were to purchase an apartment of 40 to 60 sq m in a residential area, for example in Pilaitė, taking out a joint loan from a bank, the stable salary of one person should be between 500 and 750 EUR.
“When the income of a couple is considered together, purchasing a home becomes financially simpler compared to single buyers. Therefore, not only the desire, but also the opportunity to purchase a more spacious home for two becomes more accessible. True, a joint purchase by unmarried people can be more binding than marriage,” notes J. Šavelskis.
Unlike singles, couples are usually a little older and have more savings to spend on home decoration. In addition, a couple can take care of the home decoration together, and accordingly can divide the time spent on finding finishing materials and finishers, which is why they purchase a fully finished home less often than singles – this is the choice of every fourth couple.
The family dilemma: an apartment or a detached house?
The third segment of home buyers is families of three or more people. They face a dilemma – a 3-4-room apartment of about 70-80 sq. m or a detached house. Šavelskis notes that families are often fascinated by detached houses in Tarandė, Zujūnai, Bajorai or Pavilnys, where they enjoy fresh air and the opportunity to cook in the yard, but later encounter infrastructure deficiencies, noticing that the trip to educational or social service institutions takes longer than planned.
“There are many such cases. And families choosing individual houses should consider the fact that every trip to the city is a journey, and there may not be any shops within a 15-20 minute radius,” says the real estate expert.
The most popular areas for families include Pilaitė, Santariškės, Jeruzalė, Bajorai, while those looking for a better strategic location choose Žirmūnai, Saltoniškės, Antakalnis. According to Eika, in 2018, 61 percent of families bought middle-class apartments in projects developed by the company in Žirmūnai, Antakalnis, and the quiet part of Šnipiškės.
It is estimated that in order to purchase a 4-room 80 sq. m apartment in one of the most popular family sleeping areas in Pilaitė, one person needs to earn about 900–1000 EUR per month. One in ten families purchases a fully furnished apartment.
Experts note that recently single mothers with children have also been purchasing apartments in Pilaitė. They are choosing 2-3-room apartments with an area of less than 60 sq m. m. According to Šavelskis, with a budget of 100 thousand euros, one can purchase a 1.5-2-room apartment of 33-47 sq m in Naujamiestis, Žirmūnai – a 2-room apartment of about 42 sq m, and in Pilaitė – a 3-room apartment of 57 sq m. m.