Ground Floor Apartments (Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale: condos, rent , work)

[TeacherGuyMi]

So, I'm going to rent an apartment around the Arrowhead Area in Peoria. I'm thinking that I'd be able to save some money on the electric bill by getting a ground floor apartment because i figure that i'd have to run the central air a little less on the ground floor. what do you think? would it make large enough of a difference to justify paying $20-$30 more a month in rent to get a ground floor place? eventhough i'm from out of state, i'm not dumb enough to believe that snakes and huge scorpians and stuff like that are going to invade my patio and eat my dog, if i live on a first floor.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by TeacherGuyMi

So, I'm going to rent an apartment around the Arrowhead Area in Peoria. I'm thinking that I'd be able to save some money on the electric bill by getting a ground floor apartment because i figure that i'd have to run the central air a little less on the ground floor. what do you think? would it make large enough of a difference to justify paying $20-$30 more a month in rent to get a ground floor place? eventhough i'm from out of state, i'm not dumb enough to believe that snakes and huge scorpians and stuff like that are going to invade my patio and eat my dog, if i live on a first floor.

You'll probably be cooler on the bottom floor and may save a little on energy bills. I don't know about 20.00-30.00 though. You shouldn't see any snakes on your patio, scorpions I don't know it's a hit and miss. I never saw a scorpion in all my years in the Phoenix area but I know many people that had problems.

[TurcoLoco]

Are the scorpions, snakes, etc. a big concern for dog owners? I do not own a dog yet but I was planning on getting one so I was curious.
Also do they really charge more if the apartment is on the first floor? This is something new to me.

[sheena]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

Are the scorpions, snakes, etc. a big concern for dog owners? I do not own a dog yet but I was planning on getting one so I was curious.
Also do they really charge more if the apartment is on the first floor? This is something new to me.

I think mostly N Scottsdale and areas like out on the fringes more deserty, Cave Creek, Care Free as far as snakes go. I know Scottsdale has scorpion problems but you can have scorpions anywhere in the Valley. I think most charge a little more for bottom floor because of the energy savings and convienience. I don't think all complexes charge more for bottom though.

[AZ_singlemother]

Another issue with living on the first floor is noise. One time I had a 400 lb neighbor lady upstairs - with insomnia. She must have done aerobics or something but was extremely loud. My kids and I could not sleep well consistently for a long time until she agreed to move to a lower level apartment.

Most apartments do not have good sound control.

[sablebaby]

I think all the apartments I've been to did charge more for the first floor. It's a premium type of thing. I do believe it will save you a few bucks each month in electric costs as compared to top floor (had a couple of those over the years). But I don't think you'll be able to run your ac that much less. It gets so freaking hot here. There's NO escape!

One thing to watch out for over anything else are breakins are much more common in first floor apartments and condos. During the nice months of the year people will open their windows to let in the nice weather and that brings in the bad people as well. I see it on the news once in a while to tell people to close your windows. It's very unfortunate that we have to do that these days.

Is your new place off of 83rd ave?

[sheena]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I think all the apartments I've been to did charge more for the first floor. It's a premium type of thing. I do believe it will save you a few bucks each month in electric costs as compared to top floor (had a couple of those over the years). But I don't think you'll be able to run your ac that much less. It gets so freaking hot here. There's NO escape!

One thing to watch out for over anything else are breakins are much more common in first floor apartments and condos. During the nice months of the year people will open their windows to let in the nice weather and that brings in the bad people as well. I see it on the news once in a while to tell people to close your windows. It's very unfortunate that we have to do that these days.

Is your new place off of 83rd ave?

I was gonna mention the breakins but I didn't want everyone screaming at me saying I was negative. I always opted for the top floor for that reason alone.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by sheena

I was gonna mention the breakins but I didn't want everyone screaming at me saying I was negative. I always opted for the top floor for that reason alone.

Oh ya, I forgot about that Someone tried to kick down my door when I was home alone with my son when he was a newborn - bottom floor Different city/state but it could happen anywhere. I wouldn't call that negative, just realistic. Just have to be careful anywhere you live.

Deadbolts work.

[TurcoLoco]

Thanks for the feedback! I generally do prefer the upstairs for the privacy issue as well but the security is also a valid point since that has never been much of an issue in my current neighborhood, I will have to remember this when I move.

~TL

[sheena]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

Oh ya, I forgot about that Someone tried to kick down my door when I was home alone with my son when he was a newborn - bottom floor Different city/state but it could happen anywhere. I wouldn't call that negative, just realistic. Just have to be careful anywhere you live.

Deadbolts work.

Back in 92 I lived in a condo at Brown and Higley in East Mesa and I was home alone with my kids and this guy kept trying to get in he was banging on my door and telling me to open it. I started yelling that I was calling the cops. I did call the cops and by the time they got there he ran. I think he saw the flashing lights coming up the road.

BTW if anyone is thinking about renting those condos on Brown and Higley cross it off the list.