If you’ve been living in landed property for the entirety of your life and is now moving into a high-rise apartment building, let me tell you that there are a number of things to consider when choosing an apartment.
While we are often so focused on the right apartment building, price, proximity to amenities and transportation, there are other intangible factors to consider that will have an effect on your living experience.
One of those things you should consider is which floor is suitable for you and your family: the bottom, middle or top unit. You might not realise it but choosing a suitable floor has a profound impact on your day-to-day lifestyle.
Many people tend to shoot straight for the top floor apartment without realising there are benefits to the bottom floor unit. Not forgetting the middle floors, let us explore which floor is best.
5 important considerations when choosing apartment floor
If you are moving into the metropolitan for work then you are likely to consider an apartment in a high-rise building. With some buildings going up to 40-floors, there are 9 important factors you should consider before making a decision, be it to rent or buy.
1. Security and privacy for the family
In a high-rise building, the higher floors are typically considered to be safer because there are fewer points of entry and windows are difficult to access. Apartment units at the lower level are prone to break-ins because of how easily accessible they are through the windows and doors.
2. Vantage point
Higher apartment units typically come with a better vantage point. This can be the panoramic view of the city or the countryside depending on where the apartment is located. However, apartment units on a higher floor tend to cost more than their lower floor counterparts.
3. Light and ventilation
Apartment units on a higher floor tend to have more natural sunlight and better ventilation. However, these apartment units tend to spend more on electricity during summer because hot air rises to the top making it difficult for the room to cool down.
4. Noise exposure
Middle and lower apartment units tend to experience higher noise exposure from surrounding street traffic. Apartment units from the 15th floor onwards tend to experience less noise as the soundwave dissipates.
5. Exposure to pest
Living on the top floor also means fewer visits from annoying pests and critters. Mosquitoes typically do not fly beyond 50ft (5 stories) and are significantly less in apartment units past the 10th floor. Bottom apartments are often infested with critters because it is closer to their natural habitat.
Life living in a ground floor apartment
No time wasted waiting on elevators or getting out of breath climbing stairs are some of the many perks to living in a ground floor apartment. Having quick access in and out of your home is the reason why families with older folks typically opt for ground floor units.
Having your own small outdoor space for gardening also sets your unit apart from the upper floor apartment units. This means having a luxury cup of coffee on a patio on a rainy Sunday morning while enjoying the fresh air.
However, you might want to buckle up on the safety department since having easy access to your door also means a higher chance of break-ins. Even more so if your ground floor unit is backed up against a quiet cul-de-sac in a bustling metropolitan.
If you are sensitive to noise, then you will find yourself shut in your apartment unit with the windows shut tight for most of the time. It will be normal for pedestrians to chat as they walk across the little area up to your doorsteps.
Benefits of living in a ground floor apartment
1. Easy access for elderly folks, individuals with paralegia and to move heavy loads
Living in a ground floor unit is ideal if you are expecting to move heavy loads regularly. If you have a big family, the ground floor unit will be good so that you do not have to carry the heavy grocery load all the way up to the top floor.
Also, if you are facing difficulties with your health and it is prohibiting you from walking too far too long, having a ground floor apartment is extremely beneficial for your health.
2. Save cost on utilities
If you are living in the tropics, then having a ground floor apartment also mean saving cost on utilities. Since hot air rises to the top, it takes significantly less energy to cool down the place and that translates into saving a buck on your utility bills.
Besides, units on the lower floors tend to have less natural sunlight which will keep your place cooler for much longer.
3. Options for outdoor space
In some apartment designs, living in a ground floor apartment also means having your private outdoor space like a garden or patio which is great if you plan to host guests or to have pets.
While this does not come with all apartments, it is something to keep in mind when deciding on the apartment building to choose to live in.
4. Reduced cost to afford
It depends on where you are from, but here in Malaysia we typically see units at the ground floor costing less than their counterparts on the higher level. The lack of a vantage point does put off people who prefer having a better view of the city skyline.
Subsequently, this also translates into lower monthly rent for ground floor units. So if you are on a tight budget, it will be good for you to consider ground floor or lower floor apartment units.
Drawbacks of living in a ground floor apartment
1. Higher exposure to noise
Noise will potentially be your biggest problem living in the lower floor apartments. The noise you get from the street and not to mention the noise produced by inconsiderate neighbours above us who has the audacity of cleaning their home in the evening.
If your lower floor apartment is facing the swimming pool, it will be common to have kids screaming and joying themselves. The party vibe may not be a bad thing since most complex management will put a halt to parties past certain hours in the evening.
Invest in noise reducing panels
If living in a ground floor apartment is your only choice, it might be worth considering changing out the regular windows for soundproofing windows.
Typically, laminated glass is used specifically to insulated against noise. The insulation layer is more effective than the air-spaced tempered glass at noise cancellation as it does not allow for noise reverberation between the glass panes.
2. Higher chance of break-ins
Having quick access into your home also means your home is more vulnerable to security concerns like break-ins. Compared to higher floors apartments, the windows and doors for ground floor units are easier to access and are potential entry for burglars.
Preventive measures against break-ins
We want a home that is safe for our family and loved ones. In reality, it is not too difficult to improve home security if you take reasonable precautions.
Here are some quick ideas on easily improving home securities,
- Upgrade the door locks to be triple bolted
- Remove glass elements near the door handle
- Get an alarm system with window sensors
- Secure and lock the sliding door and windows
- Use window film for privacy
- Automate outdoor lights to turn on in the evening
- Don’t hide-a-key at the porch
- Install a security camera
- Have decoy anti-burglar systems
- Have your neighbours look out for you
If the ideas above aren’t enough, do check out this article on 100 different ways to make your home safer today.
3. Expect more pests in the home
In general, ground floor apartment is expected to have more unwanted pests than their counterparts on a higher floor. The apartment unit is easily accessed by pests through the cracks in the wall and floor. A pest infestation can be controlled through proper pest control plans.
Living in a ground floor apartment, do expect to be frequently visited by mosquitoes, ants and cockroaches. If you do not have the habit of cleaning after your meals, it won’t take long before critters like cockroaches and ants start invading your home.
5 simple tips to pest control for ground floor apartments
- Fill any cracks you see
Critters like cockroaches and ants typically gets into your home through cracks and holes. Using puty or caulk gun to fill the crack blocks the very entrance for these pests. - Keep the kitchen clean
As it is, ground floor apartments are highly susceptible to pests. However, a dirty kitchen with food bits lying around is a magnet attracting ants, cockroaches and flies. - Keep your home dry
If your ground floor apartment comes with a mini garden compound, remember to keep the pots dry to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. - Install mosquito nettings
Living the tropics, mosquitoes is our worst enemy keeping us up at night. Installing mosquito nettings for the windows and sliding doors is a good way to keep them out. - Consider insecticides
If all else fails, do consider using insecticides or professional pest control to keep your place critter-free.
Life living in a top floor apartment
The gorgeous city view you get with a top floor apartment just begs for an evening party with friends. Most of us who chooses to live in a top floor apartment chose it for the view and ventilation.
Another thing about living in a top floor apartment, above the 16th floor, is that you get less noise from traffic and neighbours. Since noise travel upwards, units between the ground floor to the 15th floor is more exposed to noise pollution than the higher levels.
Although you do get the occasional noise from unruly neighbours, the situation will not be as bad as your neighbours living on the ground floor.
The main downside to living on the higher levels is that hot air travels upwards. That also means a higher electricity bill because more energy goes into cooling down the place.
Benefits of living in a top floor apartment
1. The view is great
Let’s admit it, we are all attracted to good views be it the city skyline or the countryside. The panoramic views you get with a top floor apartment are superb and nothing to complain about.
However, the view you desire may not necessarily be limited to the top floor. In fact, some of the middle floors may be able to see the same views of the city and that can be a saving to you.
So do keep that in mind as you apartment hunt for a place to call home.
2. Better security with less accessibility
Living on the high floors of an apartment complex is typically safer than the lower floors. Depending on the layout of the building and security measures in place, access into the higher floor apartments is a lot harder than the ground floor units and this reduces the chance of break-ins.
While living in a top floor apartment is a lot safer, it is important to remain vigilant when it comes to security. Crime can happen anytime especially when we are complacent.
3. It is a whole lot quieter
Top floor apartments rarely have to deal with noise from the streets and neighbouring residents. If you prefer quiet and tranquillity, then living in a top floor apartment may just be your thing.
However, living in a top floor apartment also comes with the responsibility of maintaining peace. If you are a noisy neighbour we all hate creating noise from the top floor, do expect a lot of noise complaints to come your way.
So if you are living on the top floor, please be mindful of the noise you create. You might not realise it but your shifting chair can create noise for everyone living below.
4. It is a whole lot brighter
Living on the top floor with a great panoramic view also means having less obstruction for natural sunlight. Natural light is a wonderful way to brighten up your home without costing any electricity. Combined with a lighter tone of paint, you will have a homely place to call home.
While natural light is great to brighten up the place, it brings with it heat and that can make your home hotter during the summer.
Downsides of living in a top floor apartment
1. Living in a top floor apartments cost more
Apartments of the same exact layout cost more the higher up they are. This means higher prices, rent and higher utility costs. If you have a tight budget when it comes to renting, then living in a top floor apartment may not be a good choice for you.
Having said that, you can consider living with a roommate to bring down the cost.
Electricity bills for top floor apartments are always more expensive in the summer or if you live in the tropics. Since hot air travels upwards coupled with the natural sun heat, you will likely run the air-conditioning at lower temperatures for much longer to effective cool down the place in the afternoon.
Invest in heat reducing tinted windows and dark out curtains
Investing in a 50% tint window is a great way to balance out the heat and natural light for your home. It blocks half the light coming into your home, but still effectively blocks out UV rays and heat.
The difference in temperature between having and not having tinted windows can be up to 8 degrees Celsius. Check out the experiment done in 2012 by M.A Jasni and F.M. Nasir that concluded this result.
2. You have limited emergency evacuation options
We do not often consider emergency evacuation when choosing a place. I don’t blame you because we do not expect any emergency most of the time.
Having said that, have you ever considered what choices you have during a fire or a natural disaster? Imagine walking down 30 flights of dark stairs filled with smoke along with residents from every single floor below you.
It is not to scare you away from choosing a top floor apartment but to prepare you for the times least expected. So when you move into a top floor apartment, educate yourself on the emergency evacuation plan so that you are better prepared to face any unforeseen emergencies.
There really is no other way to give yourself more emergency evacuation options.
3. First to experience a poor building condition
If you are living on the top floor of a really old apartment complex, you should check out the conditions of the roof and see if it is well maintained against damages and leaks. Old buildings tend to have leaks and water seepage through the roof in to the top floor apartment.
If the place is poorly maintained, choose another building
When it comes to building maintenance, you have very little control over the budget and action that can be taken. Hence, if you do not think the place is well maintained and is causing problems to your desired top floor apartment, I advise you to move on to your next choice.
There is nothing worst than to invest in a lovely place only to be riddled with maintenance issues that are out of your control.
Life living in a middle floor apartment
If you are still unsure of which floor to choose, then the middle floor is a safer ground for you. It has the best of both worlds and comes with more flexibility.
When it comes to view, it will not be too bad and if you are careful with the building, you may even get views comparable to top tier apartment complexes. While you get to enjoy better scenery daily, it does not take you too long to escape in case of a fire or natural disaster.
Compared to your neighbours living on the top floor, your electricity bill is more consistent and will likely cost less since the air-conditioning at home do not need to work too hard.
While you may not get the same quick access as your ground floor neighbours, the wait at the lift won’t take too long for you and you will find going in and out pretty convenient.
Final Words
After considering all aspects, choosing the right floor to live on is a personal choice.
If you are afraid of heights, living on the top floor will be a traumatic experience on the daily basis. On the other hand, if you cannot take the slightest peep of noise, living below the 16th floor will drive you nuts and that can deteriorate your health.
So take some time to consider yourself and your preference before deciding on the best floor to live in.
Cheers!
