Living in a First Floor Apartment – Complete Guide

Despite their convenience, most people would rather not live on the first floor of an apartment. With that in mind, 1st floor apartments usually stay on the market longer than those on higher floors. First floor apartments usually remain on the market for 70 days longer than apartments located on other floors. In this guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of living on the first floor of an apartment building.

Pros of Living on the First Floor Apartment

1. Convenience During Move-In

First floor apartments are convenient in that you don’t need to access stairs or elevators. This is especially helpful if you need to move heavy furniture inside your apartment. Stairs make moving larger objects challenging, and elevators can break down. Living on the first floor of an apartment means you don’t have to worry about issues related to climbing stairs or malfunctioning elevators.

2. Easy Come, Easy Go

Most first floor apartments have private patios that you can lock from inside or outside. This can double as an emergency or alternative exit for you should you be unable to exit through the primary entrance.  Introverts may find that first-floor apartments are ideal for avoiding passing chats with neighbors. Which are often inevitable while passing on the stairs or when taking an elevator.

First floor apartments are also more appealing for senior citizens and disabled persons who rely on wheelchairs, scooters, or other walking aids due to their accessibility to shared spaces and other onsite amenities.

3. Cheaper Utility Costs

Most people prefer to live on the upper floors for security reasons. As a result, apartments located on the upper floors are comparatively higher than those located on the first floor. Alternatively, that means the monthly rent for most first-floor apartments will be much lower than the rent for upper floors. You’ll also find that cooling and heating first floor apartments are much cheaper since they aren’t exposed to the wind and sun like apartment units on higher floors.

4. No Downstairs Neighbors

Living on upper floors means you’ll have someone living below you. There may be additional noise generated by your neighbors’ movements. Hardwood floors intensify this issue. Living on the first floor can help alleviate some of this.

5. Courtyards and Gardens

Living in a 1st-floor apartment gives you easy access to the apartment’s courtyard and any nearby green space, which can be therapeutic.

6. Proximity to the Mailbox and Property Amenities

Living on the first floor means not having to go up or downstairs to get your mail or access amenities located at the apartment building fitness center or pool.

7. Easier Access to Your Car or Bike

Living on the first floor of an apartment makes it easier to store your bike or bring in groceries from the car. You won’t have to take any stairs or wait for an elevator (that may or may not be working) after a long, hectic day at work or school.

8. Pets

First floor apartments are ideal for pet owners. You can take your furry friend on a walk or allow them to roam without the dread of having to go up or downstairs or taking a cramped elevator with someone who may not like animals.

Plus, if you are lucky enough to get a fenced patio, you can give your pet the freedom to wander in and out of the apartment safely without fear of it wandering off.

Cons of Living on the First Floor Apartment

Despite the list of benefits of living on the ground floor, there are also some disadvantages.

1. Lack of Privacy

You might get communal areas such as paths, car parks, and yards, so you might face the noisy neighbor disturbing your daily routine.

2. Busier and Noisier

Living on the first floor of an apartment means nearly all residents will pass by your door at any given time.  Add to that street noise if your apartment is close to a major roadway or bus stop, which could prove disruptive.

3. Security Concerns

Living on the first floor exposes you to more security risks like break-ins because your unit is easily accessible.

4. Dust and Bugs

First floor apartments are more prone to dust and outdoor pests/insects due to the apartment’s proximity to landscaping.

5. Less Natural Light

You might not get as much sunlight in a first floor apartment depending on where your apartment is located and which direction it faces. If your building has heavy vegetation and higher buildings surrounding it. You might not get as much natural light in your apartment which give it a gloomier feel.

Living on the First Floor of an Apartment vs. Upper Floors

We have discussed some of the pros and cons of living on the first floor of an apartment building. Now the question is how does living on the first floor compare with living in an apartment on an upper floor? For instance, upper floor apartments are further away from streets. So they are naturally not targets for security issues like break-ins. Moreover, apartments on higher floors get more natural lighting and provide better views of the surroundings.

But living on upper floors means dealing with the hassle of stairs. If you ever have to move something heavy to or out of your apartment, the stairs could pose a bit of a hardship. Granted, if you live in a building that only has 2 or 3 stories, you won’t have as many flights of stairs to climb.

Living on higher floors may also reduce street noise since your apartment isn’t as close to passing traffic or landscaping crews.

Are First Floor Apartments Colder?

Warm air travels up, which means lower apartments may, in fact, be cooler than apartments on higher levels.

Are First Floor Apartments Less Expensive?

This is a difficult question to answer because the cost of an apartment will depend on multiple factors, such as location, available amenities, and apartment size.

Is It More Dangerous to Live in First Floor Apartments?

Ground floor apartments are often preferred because they are easier to access. But, unfortunately, they are also prime targets for burglars thanks to their easy access.

How Can You Protect Your First Floor Apartment?

If you want to keep your home secure from possible invasion, check for weak spots in windows or the front and patio doors. In addition, make sure you have sturdy locks on your doors. Also, when leaving your home, be careful not to leave expensive items out where passersby can see them. That could be the trigger that causes someone to break into your apartment. You can also install intelligent lights inside, which can give the impression that you are home in the evenings.

Conclusion

We’ve touched on some of the pros and cons of living on the first floor of an apartment and compared some of the differences between living on the first floor and one located on the upper floor. We hope you can use this information to make the decision that best suits your lifestyle and needs.