In the hustle and bustle of modern city life, it’s not uncommon to see apartment buildings towering high into the sky, offering residents a view of the surrounding skyline. But what about those who prefer a more historic and quirky living experience? Enter the railroad apartment, a type of housing that offers just that.
With roots tracing back to the 19th and 20th centuries, a railroad-style apartment was a response to maximizing space in narrow and often overcrowded tenement buildings. Unlike a typical apartment, where rooms are connected by hallways, areas in a railroad-style space are arranged in a straight line. (You know, like cars on a train.)
Railroad apartments might’ve served a very utilitarian purpose way back when, but how to they measure up nowadays? Curious to see what today’s dwellers think of the old-school layout, I interviewed two real renters to share what they love — and, okay, don’t love — about railroad-style apartments. If you’re eying a railroad space yourself or eager to enhance your real estate IQ, here’s an inside look at the real deal.