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Apartment Living: Top Floor vs. Bottom Floor

Ellicott City Apartment BuildingEllicott City rental homes come in many different shapes and sizes — and elevations. In many cases, rental homes and apartments have units directly above or below other units. If you could choose to live on either the top floor or the bottom floor, which would you pick? Although the top floor is usually considered the prime spot, that would actually depend on your particular situation and needs. When you weigh out the pros and cons of the top floor and bottom floor, you can decide which one suits your lifestyle better.

Ease of Access

Access is a big factor in deciding between a ground-level rental and one higher up. Think about how willing you would be to deal with stairs or elevator access on a daily basis as a top-floor apartment occupant. Costs of moving are also usually higher for top-floor apartments since movers tend to charge higher rates for bringing furniture up and down flights of stairs. Bottom-floor rental homes typically have easier access.

Safety

Safety is also an important consideration when choosing between the top floor and the bottom floor. Rental homes that are higher up can be more secure since the windows are less accessible from outside. However, this will also mean that it could be harder to escape through a window in case of fires or other emergencies. Depending on what you need, you can choose a rental home location that puts your security first.

Noise

Noise levels can also be a dealbreaker when choosing a rental home. As a general rule, top-floor apartments tend to be less noisy than those below. But this does not mean that you won’t encounter noisy neighbors below. On the other hand, your downstairs neighbors might see you like the noisy one. You might have to face the hassle of being reported to the landlord and dealing with the complaints.

Natural Light

One of the benefits of living in a top-floor rental home is the higher amount of natural light. This is especially felt in buildings surrounded by other structures as rental homes that are higher up usually get more light than those on the bottom. Bottom-floor rentals, on the other hand, are closer to the garden, so if you prefer flowers to skylines, you would be better off picking the bottom floor.

Cost of Utilities

The cost of utilities should also be a big factor in your choice of rentals. In general, top-floor apartments tend to have higher utility costs than bottom-floor homes. During months when the weather is warm, hot air tends to rise, meaning your air conditioning unit will need to work harder to cool a top-floor rental home than a bottom-floor one. Since bottom-floor apartments tend to stay cooler, they are less expensive to heat and cool than those on the top floor.

At the end of the day, your priorities and preferences will determine which one is best for you. But if your current Ellicott City rental isn’t ideal, maybe it’s time to find a new place to live. If you are in the market for a new rental home, Real Property Management Prime can help! Visit our website to check out our listings, or give us a call today!

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