Apartment Dwellers: Bottom or Top Floor?

[glenn beck]

best apartment I lived in had concrete floors, didn't matter which floor you stayed on, was perfect

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Not the bottom floor. I live on the bottom floor and while it's handy to walk into and easy to move into/out of and carry groceries to, there are a few things I don't like.

1. The guy above me walking around in boots, practicing his marching or something (previous tenants upstairs were quiet so YMMV).
2. Have to keep the windows closed/locked when we're out during the day. I'd LOVE to keep some windows open to keep the fresh air circulating, but can't due to possible break ins.
3. Blinds are almost always closed. You can't see RIGHT into our place, but we don't feel comfortable with all of the blinds always open all the time. It'd be much nicer to be a floor or two up where we can leave the blinds open for the natural light.

1. Convince this guy to enlist in the army
2. Move into his apartment
3. ....
4. Profit!

 

[gophins72]

Top. I like to sleep with my windows open in the summer. I don't feel safe sleeping at night with just a screen stopping someone from walking in.

Also like balconys better than patios.

exactly what i was going to write

 

[Beev]

I'm a bottom. If I had the choice I'd definitely switch to top.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

I'm a bottom. If I had the choice I'd definitely switch to top.

<----- L&R

 

[nageov3t]

I've been living on the first floor for the past 3 years. it's not terrible, but I'd move upstairs if the opportunity ever came.

the noise isn't too bad, but you lose a ton of privacy being on the first floor (my shades are pretty much closed 24/7) and I have to worry about bugs a lot more since the local ants keep liking to build hives in the corners of the porch no matter how many traps/poisons I put down.

 

[zebano]

Top floor sucks to move into but is better after that (unless it's 5+ floors without an elevator), just think of the stairs as built in exercise.

 

[DesiPower]

Top +1

in TX we don't have more than 3 floors. I have always insisted on top floors, my main reason - footsteps, its a BIG -ve for me that out weighs all +ves

 

[TheVrolok]

Another vote for top floor.

 

[drum]

Interesting, I always though bottom level was always more desirable as a norm. We are trying to sell my fiances first level condo and I thought we had an advantage by being on the first level but maybe not... D:

 

[Svnla]

I made a similar thread about a year ago in ATOT and most of the people were saying top floor.

To me the top floor:

Pros = more privacy, lesser chance of breaking in, as a matter of fact, the only way someone can break in my place is by the front door or from the ceiling..no noise from top, no chance of toilet/water break and pour down.

Cons = much hotter in the summer (I live in the South), harder to get heavy stuffs in and out,

 

[The Boston Dangler]

over 10 years of apartment living, my answer is "top floor ONLY"

 

[Gooberlx2]

If you know foot steps are going to be loud, then definitely go with the top floor.

If it's a huge apt complex with concrete construction, then it shouldn't matter.

 

[dr150]

Basement FTMFW!! :thumbsup:

 

[Mr. Lennon]

I just had my girlfriend read this thread. She was already starting to go along with the top floor, but this thread sealed the deal.

 

[rpanic]

No brainer, done both many times top floor is the best. When we had the Northridge quake two buildings collapsed and bottom dwellers were squashed. With two kids top floor is still best even having to deal with stairs to not have to hear the people above walk at night.

 

[her209]

When I lived in Hollywood, top floor was the only way to see the Hollywood sign.

 

[Chaotic42]

I lived on the top floor and could hear salsa music at 2am. It can still suck.

 

[nageov3t]

one top floor con is getting bitched at by your downstairs neighbors for loud footsteps or creaky floors.

one of my friends is constantly fighting with the guy who lives downstairs from him because my friend's kid runs around the apartment.

that's going to depend on apartment construction, though. the apartments in my building are all hardwood floors and even so, I still never hear the couple upstairs from me unless they drop something heavy on the floor.