Living in an Upper-Story Apartment: The Pros And Cons

Weighing up on whether to move into an upper-story apartment? Such apartments can have many benefits, but also many drawbacks. Below are some of the pros and cons of living in an apartment that’s not on the first floor. 

Pro: the views are impressive

Upper-story apartments can soar above other buildings, resulting in some incredible views. They can be a great way of accessing sea views without having to be right by the seafront, as well as rural views without having to be based right on the outskirts of a town. This can be a popular reason for choosing an upper-story apartment. 

Con: you need to have a good head for heights

Of course, such views are not ideal for those with a phobia of heights. It’s important that you can look out of your window without feeling scared or dizzy – if you don’t have a head for heights, it’s probably best to avoid upper-story apartments. 

Pro: energy bills are likely to be cheaper in winter

Heat naturally rises and so occupants of upper-story apartments are often able to stay warm just by relying on the heat from occupants below. There will be times when you still need to turn up the thermostat, but you could find that you use a lot less energy in the winter than someone living in a house or first-floor apartment. 

Con: energy bills may be more expensive in summer

Rising heat could mean that your apartment also gets hotter in the summer. This could mean more heavy air-conditioner usage to keep your apartment cool and potentially higher bills in the summer. 

Pro: you have more security and privacy

Upper-story apartments can offer a lot of security and privacy. Burglars won’t be able to climb through your window and you don’t have to worry about passers-by peeping through windows. This can make upper-story apartment living quite peaceful.

Pro: there’s less noise pollution

Adding to the peace is the lack of noise pollution you get when you’re higher up. The noise of cars and people is more distant and easier to sleep through. 

Con: moving furniture in and out is more challenging

A big challenge of living in an upper-story apartment is that it can be a nightmare to move furniture in and out. In most cases, you’ll need to hire professional movers when transporting the furniture in and out of these homes. 

Con: they are not disability-friendly

If you’ve got a disability that affects your mobility, an upper-story apartment is not suitable for you. Many older people have to move out of these apartments once mobility issues start to occur. Some apartment blocks do have elevators, but these can be temperamental. 

Con: they are not very pet-friendly

Pets are not allowed in many upper-story apartments. Even if you can keep a dog, it will be a lot of effort taking them out to use the toilet, plus there’s the issue of noise complaints. Cats may be better suited, but they’ll have to be house cats.

Pro: living in an upper-story apartment can keep you fit

If you’re able-bodied, one advantage of all those stairs is that they will keep you fit. Who needs a gym when you can walk up and down multiple flights of stairs every day?