When it comes to real estate, homeowners typically prioritize location. However, it’s about living upstairs or downstairs when discussing apartment renters.
That being said, we think that for every person who wants to live in a downstairs apartment, there is an equal number who want to live upstairs.
But, regardless of their decisions, they typically have their reasons. So, if you have the same dilemma, let us make the decision-making process easier.
Cons and Pros of Living Downstairs in an Apartment
Ground-floor apartments are now very uncommon in today’s society. They aren’t even present in most newly-constructed residential buildings.
This is because modern apartment buildings either include parking garages or lobbies on the ground floor for the convenience of the occupants.
However, if you start looking at older buildings in a large metropolis like Manhattan, you might find a couple. That said, here are a few pros and cons of living downstairs in an apartment.
The Cons of Living in a Downstairs Apartment
A few cons of living downstairs in an apartment are listed below:
Fear of Pest or Rodent Infestation
If you live downstairs in an apartment, you might need to watch out for any indicators that rats or creepy crawly insects are invading your house.
Sewer pipes and ducts can be spread across an apartment complex, sometimes only a few feet apart. So, your ground-floor apartment building can be closer to the base of a duct or a sewer pipe.
Typically, rats and vermin of all kinds breed in these locations.
Such a thing makes it crucial for you to take all necessary precautions and cover even the smallest inlets to prevent rodents and insects from entering your home.
Ventilation Issues
The absence of ventilation is among the major disadvantages of relocating to a ground-floor apartment.
Ground-floor apartment units lack the flow of ventilation and air. So, you might need to rely on air conditioning equipment to keep indoor temperatures consistent.
After all, extreme weather conditions are possible both in the summer and the winter. This means you will need as much ventilation as possible, especially during warmer climatic conditions.
Lack of Privacy
Lack of privacy is among the most crucial factors when relocating to a downstairs apartment.
It can be situated next to the entrance or close to a boundary wall, even though it might have a separate entrance. Due to this, you might then run into privacy problems.
In fact, if your property has a wooden net door or a door with a grill, which you could often leave open for air, onlookers can simply peek inside your home.
The Pros of Living in a Downstairs Apartment
A few pros of living downstairs in an apartment are listed below:
No Need to Climb Stairs
Living on the ground floor has several benefits, one of which is that you might never have to use the elevator or the stairs.
So, regardless of whether the apartment complex you live in has a power backup system, you can still enter your home without difficulty because it is located on the ground floor.
This makes it the perfect place for you to live if you have elderly relatives or patients who need to live with you.
Every time they want to come and go, they won’t have to use the elevator or climb stairs, which can be difficult or practically impossible for them to do.
In fact, handlebars, anti-slip flooring, remote-controlled equipment, and wireless switches are other ways to make your home ideal for senior adults.
Also read: Are Apartments Safe during Hurricanes?
Separate Entrance
Do you need an apartment with its own entrance? If so, living on the ground floor might be your best choice.
Ground-floor apartments typically have entrances on a building’s exterior, occasionally adjacent to the boundary wall or the main gate.
This means you might not need to pass through a passageway with other units on either side to get to your own unit.
You will have the advantage of entering your unit directly without the hassle of a separate, dedicated entrance.
Extra Living Space
The availability of additional square footage is one of the major advantages of living downstairs in an apartment.
This means you’ll have extra space because you probably won’t have a corridor, elevator, or balcony. You can use this unutilized space to add extra rooms or more open living space inside your unit.
It is probably one of the biggest reasons why many apartment purchasers prefer units on the ground floor of a building.
So, if you have a large family, consider choosing a downstairs apartment rather than an upstairs one.
Easier To Move in
Undoubtedly, moving into an apartment that is on a lower level of a building is simpler. After all, there is no fun in carrying your possessions up to the 31st story of a skyscraper, right?!
In fact, you can make your move a whole lot easier by hiring professionals. They will help you move your belongings quickly, meaning you won’t even have to worry about carrying them yourself.
Ultimately, transferring your stuff to an upper floor can be more difficult, especially if your housing plans largely rely on your employment type.
So, if you move a lot due to work reasons, living downstairs in an apartment would be a better overall decision.
Also read: 10 Disadvantages of Living in an Apartment
Low Living Costs
Because lower-floor apartments don’t have picturesque views, some apartment buildings may keep the rents low for this reason.
In fact, lower floors receive less natural sunlight during the hot summer months. Due to this, tenants frequently pay significantly less for air conditioning.
Undoubtedly, these potential savings play a significant role in the upstairs versus downstairs apartment floor discussion.
Also read: How Much Does Water Cost Per Month in an Apartment?
Cons and Pros of Living Upstairs in an Apartment
Have you ever wondered why a top-floor apartment in a building is more expensive than a lower-floor one? Probably not.
Penthouses are typically found on higher floors, though some may also feature numerous flats, depending on how the structure is laid out.
With that in mind, here are a few cons and pros of living upstairs in an apartment.
The Cons of Living in an Upstairs Apartment
Listed below are a few cons of top-floor apartment life:
Dependence on Elevators
Elevators are necessary for tenants who want to “in and out of the apartment building.
However, this can be a problem when many people try to use the elevators during busy periods of the day.
Ultimately, this might force top-floor inhabitants to wait in line to reach the ground floor.
Difficulties During Emergency Evacuations
Those who live on higher floors may have trouble exiting a building in an emergency. In such circumstances, residents will probably need to utilize the emergency stairs.
Such a thing can be exhausting and time-consuming, particularly if your apartment is located on the top floor of your apartment complex.
But as technology advances, companies are offering backup and taking further precautions to guarantee the security and safety of every resident.
Also read: What to Do If the Ceiling Collapses in the Apartment You Rent?
Lack of an Outdoor Space
Healthcare experts believe spending time outside is great for physical and mental health.
So, unless your top-floor unit has a dedicated balcony, you won’t take advantage of this while living upstairs in an apartment.
Not to mention, while living upstairs, you’ll be far away from parks, communal gardens, and other amenities like the laundry room.
High Price
Living upstairs has its cons. However, one of the biggest cons is top floor apartments typically come with a premium price tag, whether you rent or purchase it outright.
Furthermore, living upstairs means you’ll constantly have to deal with high temperatures and sunlight. Such a thing will make you crank your air conditioning to full blast.
This will result in higher electricity bills.
Also read: Why Are Apartments So Expensive?
The Pros of Living in an Upstairs Apartment
Here are a few pros of living upstairs in an apartment:
Less Dusty
Of course, this varies depending on the location. However, one of the strong arguments in favor of upstairs vs. downstairs apartment life is that you won’t have to spend much time cleaning.
The amount of kinetic energy required for the dust particles to ascend to the 20th floor will be significantly higher.
Therefore, the highest floor of a high rise is generally the best to live on if a person has dust allergies.
Also read: 7 Reasons Your Apartment is Dusty + Ways to Easily Clean it!
Improved Ventilation
Compared to living downstairs in an apartment building, living upstairs provides more exposure to natural sunshine and better air circulation.
You only have to pull back your blinds when you need extra light in your living room throughout the day.
On the other hand, you could feel a little chilly throughout the winter. So, it would be best to weigh that trade-off when comparing life on a high floor to life on a low floor.
Also read: How to Clean Dryer Vents in an Apartment
Better Views
The view is one of the more obvious advantages of renting an apartment on the top floor of a high-rise structure. Most individuals like to have a great view from top-floor apartments.
In fact, we always look for a location with a tranquil, enthralling view of the outside world. In this case, a high-rise building’s roof is the ideal location to get such a view while living in a metropolis.
Although many of the buildings in the world today are taller than ever, there is little possibility that they would obstruct your view.
Low Noise Pollution
Due to the extreme noise from the streets outside, you don’t want to get up early on the weekends like most people.
However, it might not be easy to avoid outside noise if you are in a bustling city center.
Homes in most other locations must put up with at least a certain amount of noise from the streets outside.
That said, some of the best residential districts in the U.S. provide you with a peaceful environment. So, as you ascend higher along the skyscraper, noise pollution levels gradually decrease.
Also read: 9 Tips to Find a Quiet Apartment
Wrapping Up
Living in an apartment is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the skyrocketing prices of two-story homes.
However, whether you live upstairs or downstairs is your decision to make. So, read this article to learn the pros and cons of both and get your priorities in order.
At the end of the day, it will all come down to whether you’re willing to live with the upsides and downsides of either!
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