Yes and no. When people talk about buying an apartment, they typically mean buying a condo. You cannot buy units in a traditional apartment building, which is owned and rented out by a single entity. However, you can buy a condo, which is similar in structure to an apartment.
Owning a condo or buying into a co-op can be a good investment. Condos often provide rental income potential and ownership equity, while co-ops may offer lower initial costs but have stricter rental rules.
It varies by location and market conditions. Generally, renting an apartment has lower upfront costs than buying a house, but homeownership builds equity.
It depends on your needs. Condos offer more flexibility for renting and ownership of the unit, while co-ops tend to be cheaper but come with stricter rules and a more involved application process.