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Apartment Dwellers: Bottom or Top Floor?

Mr. Lennon

Mr. Lennon

Diamond Member
So my girlfriend and I will be moving in together in July. She is partial to living on the bottom floor due to easy access. I am partial to living on the top floor because currently I am on the bottom floor, and listening to bigfoot upstairs thud around every time he moves is just annoying as hell.

Here are some positives and negatives to both:

Top Floor
+Better views.
+Do not have to listen to foot steps or loud music coming from above.
+Top floors are usually safer than bottom when considering earthquake safety.
-A bit of a inconvenience having to use elevator/stairs.
-Heat rises, so we will be spending more money on electricity due to having to run the AC more often.

Bottom Floor
+Easier access.
+Generally cheaper rent.
+Don't have to run the AC as often.
-In case the "big one" hits (we live in SoCal) the bottom floor is usually the first to go during one of these super quakes.
-Have to deal with footsteps and sounds above, as well as people walking around on the ground level.

So what are your thoughts and experiences?
 
Top is always better IMO.

So glad I have my own house now.. don't have to worry about any of that crap anymore.
 
Recently went through the apartment process, asked for a 2nd or 3rd (top) floor. I don't care so much for the easy access, and I'd much rather not have to hear people stomping above me. I also prefer the balcony to the patio/porch thing.

Actually, they just called yesterday and it looks like I'll be on the top floor.
 
Top!!!!

Better view and quieter.

Been in the top apartment my last 4 apartments and have never been sorry for that choice. (except for being home groceries to the third floor!)
 
If I was forced to live in an apartment again... top floor. The ONLY inconvenience to me is moving in/out, and who cares when you can pay two dudes to move all your shit in an hour for $150.
 
Top floor is generally better, but the stairs suck. Our last three apartments were all 3rd floor with no elevator, moving in and out was a bitch! But once you're there it's great, no stomping over you, etc. The best is an end unit on the top floor. Our last one we only shared one wall with a neighbor and that was the kitchen. Also often top floor apartments will have extra stuff like higher ceilings, or possibly a skylight.
 
Top floor with a caveat: check the ceiling extensively for water damage and/or overly painted areas trying to mask water damage.

Bottom floor = way easier to break in, tons of noise, shitty view.
 
I've made a huge effort to find apartment complexes with only one floor. I hated having to haul my stuff up stairs and I also hated hearing the people above me. Usually you can find a one story apartment complex for the same price (maybe a bit more, but worth it IMO).
 
Some of the places we looked at actually had connecting parking garages that had levels all the way to the top floor. So even on the top floor you can just walk right out to your car. These were luxury apartments which cost a bit more, but I think I might just bite the bullet and pay a little more for a benefit like that.
 
When I was in apartments, always picked top floor. I don't want to hear noise above me. I'd rather deal with the inconvenience of stairs over noise at 3am because your neighbor likes to pace in the middle of the night.
 
I'd tend to go with bottom. You're freer to make more noise, less bleed through to other apartments. Not a concern if you aren't conscientious though.
 
Zeppelin2282 said:
So my girlfriend and I will be moving in together in July. She is partial to living on the bottom floor due to easy access. I am partial to living on the top floor because currently I am on the bottom floor, and listening to bigfoot upstairs thud around every time he moves is just annoying as hell.

Here are some positives and negatives to both:

Top Floor
+Better views.
+Do not have to listen to foot steps or loud music coming from above.
+Top floors are usually safer than bottom when considering earthquake safety.
-A bit of a inconvenience having to use elevator/stairs.
-Heat rises, so we will be spending more money on electricity due to having to run the AC more often.

Bottom Floor
+Easier access.
+Generally cheaper rent.
+Don't have to run the AC as often.
-In case the "big one" hits (we live in SoCal) the bottom floor is usually the first to go during one of these super quakes.
-Have to deal with footsteps and sounds above, as well as people walking around on the ground level.

So what are your thoughts and experiences?
Click to expand...

so if the ground floor goes, how is being in a top floor good?
 
mb said:
Would you rather fall on top of a bunch of stuff or be on the bottom of the pile?
Click to expand...

Pretty sure if the building collapses, the floors usually go with the interior supports. The exterior walls that are supported are usually the last to fall. So basically, don't they fall in on the rubble?
 
Bottom

1) I have a dog
2) I walk heavy
3) I am generally oblivious to noise
4) Used to live on the 6th floor in a building without an elevator
 
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.
 
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.
 
-moving is always a bitch, but even more so on a higher floor.

I've lived on bottom floors in every apt. I lived in and I ran the gamut of noise. subwoofer bass, fucking, stomping, walking, shouting exercising, snoring.

It sucks. I'm glad I'm in a house.
 
Top floor.

always the top floor (preferably w/ elevator)

living in apartment buildings long enough, you'll learn that there really is only one proper choice, assuming the choice is available to you.
 
I lived in a top 4th-floor corner apartment for several years. These apartments opened to an inner hallway.
Going up and down 3 flights of stairs is nothing for a person in their 20s ... well... hopefully. Didn't bother me.
I had a great view overlooking a wooded hollow. Saw deer in the winter.
Never heard a peep from fellow residents most of the time unless they were in the hallway. A few months before I moved out I finally did hear some conversation next door through the wall. Not as soundproof as I thought ..
Only 2 apartments adjoining mine. Yay.
Top floor means no plumbing leaks onto your ceiling.
Being a corner apartment meant less square footage though.
Yes it was cooler in the lower levels, but during winter I had an advantage.
 
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