When looking for a new apartment, your first considerations may be price and location, followed by amenities. But … did you ever think about which floor you’d like to live on? There are definite pros and cons associated with living on different floors in an apartment building, including access, comfort, and noise level. Let’s take a look.
First floor living.
The obvious advantage of living on the first floor is that you have easy access and won’t have to deal with stairs or an elevator. If you have a dog, then it’s convenient to take them outside for walks and potty breaks. In most climates, lower-level apartments are cooler in the summer, but may be a challenge to keep warm enough during the winter. Some disadvantages include a lack of privacy and more noise. You may hear people constantly going in and out of the building, and you’ll have more exposure to noise from the parking lot, street, and foot traffic. Being on the first floor also makes you more vulnerable to break-ins and other crimes.
Top floor living.
On the top floor, you’ll experience better views, especially if you live in a scenic area, and better air quality. It’s also less noisy, as you obviously won’t have another resident living on the floor above you. In addition, from a crime perspective, the higher you are, the safer. However, top-floor apartments can command higher rent. Other disadvantages include relying on stairs or an elevator to get in and out of the building. If you live in an area that’s vulnerable to earthquakes, the sways and shocks are intensified on the top floor. You may also have higher utility bills than you would by living on a lower floor, especially during the summer.
Middle floor living.
These are the “Goldilocks” levels. By living in the middle levels of the apartment building, it will be quieter, and you will have reduced exposure to burglaries and other crimes than you would on lower floors. You should also experience steady utility bills year-round. However, you may not have a very picturesque view and won’t have direct access to the outdoors as you would in a first-floor apartment.
Selecting a floor to live on in an apartment building is a personal choice. You may have a distinct preference or not care at all. Or you may just have to settle for whichever unit is available at the time you need to move in. However, if floor location is important to you, then you now have some advantages and disadvantages to consider during your apartment search.