The question of whether ground floor flats are better than living on higher floors is one that many people face. The major benefits of living on the ground floor include convenience and safety, but living on a higher floor can be more expensive with less noise. This article will cover both sides so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your lifestyle!
Benefits to Living in the Ground Floor apartment
Easier to move in
Moving up and down flights of stairs with a heavy load can be tiring, especially if you have to do it multiple times. The ground floor is the easiest place for moving in because there are no stairs!
This can be a big help if your building doesn’t have a lift or if you are unable to do heavy lifting.
Easier for deliveries
Similar to the previous point, the ground floor is easier for deliveries because there are no stairs. With most of today’s world now purchasing more and more online, there’s no doubt that deliveries are going to increase in the future.
Sometimes this can just be helpful as a personal preference. If you have 5 deliveries in one day you might regret being on a higher floor.
But sometimes it’s less about convenience and more about being practical. If you order a brand new furniture set you won’t be able to get it up the stairs without hiring some help.
Also if you are doing any renovations to a property you can save a lot of time being on the ground floor if builders need to get in an out of the property frequently.
One of the best ways to improve delivery safety is to install a Ring doorbell. This allows you to see outside and be able to communicate to any delivery people without having to open the door. You can also get the chimer add on to give a louder noise in the apartment when someone rings.
Can be more affordable
Depending on the building, a ground floor apartment may be cheaper than those that are higher up. Some of the larger tower blocks price more expensive apartments at the higher levels.
If you are trying to get your first home but are struggling to find somewhere affordable, try looking at the ground floor units in the building to see if there are any discounts. These are usually the hardest units to sell so the price can be up for negotiation. If you’re on a tight budget you could try and negotiate buying the white goods with the house too, such as the fridge.
Outdoor space
With people working more from home, being able to go outside for some fresh air is becoming more important. It’s natural human instinct! Due to this, ground floor units that have a garden are becoming more popular.
The downside to this is that these same units are now higher in price. Some people are able to find a compromise – buying a ground floor flat without a garden but with easy access to a park nearby.
Better for pets
Pets are a big part of our lives. Some people even put them before other family members. For those who love their animals like cats or dogs, ground floor units with a garden can be better because there is more space for them to roam around.
Better for children
The same goes with kids! They need plenty of room to run around and explore things – so having a garden can help.
With having small children in an apartment, safety becomes more important too. The ground floor does not have the risk of anyone falling out of windows – a plus point for safety.
Cheaper running costs
Ground floor units also have the benefit of being cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter. Having flats above you can trap the heat from rising out of your flat.
You might find that your monthly bills may be lower in comparison with a unit on higher floors.
Great for wheelchair users
If you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair, going up the stairs can become difficult if there is no lift. A ground floor apartment is a must in this case.
Basement Floors
If you like the idea of ground floor living you should consider looking at a basement apartment for an urban, affordable purchase.
Benefits to Living in an Apartment on a Higher Floor
Sunlight and fresh air
A ground floor apartment will have less natural light because it’s usually darker. Living higher up can mean more natural light from the sun, as well as having access to breezes that are better for ventilation.
Quieter apartments
One of the biggest benefits from a higher floor apartment – less noise. You are further away from the ground – and this means two things:
- Further away from the streets below where you might hear more cars passing or general sounds.
- You don’t have to hear people coming in and out of the communal entrance of the apartment building at all hours
Security – Is Ground Floor Apartment Safe?
Many people ask the question “is my apartment dangerous on the ground floor?”. Ground floor apartments may be safer for families, but higher floor apartments have their own safety benefits.
Putting it in simple terms – a burglar is less likely to attempt to enter a flat on the 5th floor of a building compared to an identical one on the ground floor. It’s harder for them to get inside and will take longer for them to get out when they try to escape.
Of course there are a whole list of other reasons that may attract a burglar to your higher floor apartment (maybe valuables are visible from outside, the door of the apartment is weak or they are aware the owner is going to be away for a few days). But weighing up identical flats, higher floor properties benefit from a height advantage.
Protecting Your Ground Floor Apartment
Ground floor apartments can be easily protected with some home security features.
Window Alarms
Window alarms can be a cost effective deterrent to any intruders for a ground floor apartment. The window is one of the top ways a burglar can access a home, so having proper security in this area is key to secure your ground floor apartment.
Window Bars
It’s also recommended to install window bars for ground floor homes if there is a risk of an intruder. Bars are more secure and ensure a burglar cannot physically get through a window without opening them.
However you need to weigh this up against the inconvenience of having bars on windows. It’s also potentially more dangerous as if the window bars are locked someone is not able to get out of the window as an exit and needs to rely on doors.
Window bars can also bring down the design of a room, so it’s important to factor this into your decision making.
Less flooding risk
We all hope that climate change will eventually stop and people can stop worrying about extreme conditions. But sadly the evidence seems to be piling up that things are getting worse.
An apartment on a higher floor will avoid the risk of flooding in coming years, which will prevent damage to the valuables and contents of your property.
People Can’t Peep In
People in the UK place value on being near shops and services. Unfortunately this can mean that there is a lot of people walking by homes next to the street. If you are on the ground floor it’s possible that people can see into your front room (usually the living room). This is bad for two reasons:
- Privacy – Your home is your personal space. It’s not a public building and most people rightly want some privacy.
- Security – You might be inviting unwelcome attention if your new 50 inch TV is on display from the street.
If your flat is on a higher floor these problems will no longer apply, so it’s worth considering whether privacy is high on your list.