So you’re at the point where you have identified which apartment complex you want to live in, but are trying to figure out which apartment floor should you choose to live on?
A low floor or high floor? 1st or 2nd floor?
There are pros and cons to each…
Quick Summary Video (if you prefer) and then keep reading…
1st Floor Apartments
There are several advantages to a first (1st) floor apartment, including ease of access and no stairs. Keep reading for a more detailed list…
Pros
- No elevator or staircases to deal with – makes apartment access easier, especially when moving in or out, if you have small children, or you or a family member have a disability.
- Access to a yard or patio – creates a seamless outdoor-indoor lifestyle.
- Easy access to parking lots – get in and out of your vehicle quickly and easily.
- It May be more affordable – ground-level apartments are sometimes less expensive than top-floor apartments. It depends though as some ground-floor apartments may be in demand.
- Possible Lower Air Conditioning Bills – Ground floors are generally cooler, and less expensive to heat as they typically have a conditioned (heated or cooled apartment above them).
- Proximity to Amenities – You will likely be much closer to your mailbox, and possibly to other amenities as well.
- Great for pets – easy to walk pets multiple times during the day without any major effort to get in and out of the apartment (only if pets are allowed in your lease).
Cons
- View – Some would say you don’t have as good of a view as being higher up.
- Noise – can be noisier than top floors especially if your apartment is near a common garden or park within the complex or a street outside. However, these apartment noise factors can be mitigated in a well-built apartment complex. You can also usually hear noise from neighbors above.
Second or Mid-Floor Apartments
There are several advantages to a mid-floor apartment, including views and potentially lower a/c bills.
Pros
- Good views – better views than what you would get from a ground floor apartment.
- Potentially Lower Air Conditioning Bills – Top floors can get the direct sun, which forces you to run your HVAC system for longer. First floors can get colder and older buildings, and may cost a bit more to heat. Middle-level apartments may have more stable temperatures, which can keep your utility costs down.
- Easy to access – not too many floors to reach via elevator or stairs so you can get in and out of these apartments more easily.
Cons
- Possible Noise – People are living above you so you might hear footsteps from above unless the apartment was built with sound control in mind.
- Stairs – Still have stairs or elevator to take to get out of the complex into your car or mailbox.
Top Floor Apartments
The main advantage of a top floor apartment is the views and privacy.
Pros
- Excellent views – you can often get sweeping views of the city or greenery around you, which you generally wouldn’t get with lower-floor apartments.
- Quiet and private – no one lives above you so it’s generally less noisy. Plus, any amount of noise on the ground level will be dampened by the time it reaches your higher-floor apartment.
Cons
- Higher utility bills in summer – harder to cool down in summer, which can push up your energy bills.
- Harder to carry things to the apartment – especially if you have heavy grocery bags and accessories like bikes
- Costlier – higher floor apartments are often priced more to rent as they are considered more desirable.
How to make a decision?
So, which apartment floor to live on? It is a matter of your preferences and needs. If your priority is a great view, then a top-floor apartment might be the right choice. If you prefer a garden-style apartment, then ground floor apartments are usually better. Factors to consider include:
- How far do you want to be from amenities like common gardens, pools, and barbecue
- Your budget for an apartment
- The lifestyle do you want to lead
- Sound control should be considered regardless of your floor choice
Make a list of everything that you want in an apartment and its location before deciding which floor works best for you and your family.
