First floor condo living (tenants, properties, kitchen, bedroom)

[Marble cake]

I was just wondering If it's better to live on the first floor corner of a 4 story condo building? (It does have an elevator). I currently live on the third floor corner. I love the corner and wouldn't live in the middle. But I'm thinking the first floor corner would be even better. I wouldn't have to worry about walking around late at night, or worry my dishwasher will over flow. Plus I could put a small patio right outside the back door.

My condo is in south Florida. Can anyone tell me if living on the ground floor corner is better than a higher floor? I read on the internet that higher units go for more money. Not sure why, but guessing more light and security.

So your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[MrRational]

live above the streetlights

[PartIrish]

I think security is the biggest issue, especially for females living in the unit. If the building has a secure entry, the likelihood of a break-in on a higher floor is more remote than the ground floor. As far as noise goes, if the unit above you happens to have noisy tenants or poor soundproofing in the floor/ceiling, you will really hear it. Over the years as we have bought and sold condo properties, we always eliminate ground floor units from consideration for those reasons.

[emm74]

I would make sure about the patio - unless the unit already comes with it, there's a good chance that's considered common area space.

In any case, as a woman, I've always preferred living on an upper floor, to reduce the chance that someone could break in through the window or a door that went directly to the outside. Obviously people live with that risk in single family houses, but with so many more people coming and going in a larger building, a person trying to get in may be overlooked.

[chiluvr1228]

I would never want to live on the first floor of a condo. I'm also a single woman and I feel very secure knowing the only person who could break in would be Spiderman. Plus if you're on the first floor you are going to hear all the noise from your upstairs neighbors. We have 3 stories and I'm on the 2nd floor. My upstairs neighbor(s) has hardwood floors and they are very heavy on their feet. Sometimes I swear they are just marching back and forth wearing combat boots. If we had an elevator here I would consider the top floor just so I wouldn't have to hear that.


On the other hand being in the middle keeps my electric bill down since I am also in South Florida.

[jaynarie]

I've always insisted on top-floor apartments and I would never purchase a condo that wasn't the top-floor.
For me, it is mainly the noise. Safety is also a concern.

[Archer705]

People walk directly onto my friends 1st floor patio. Literally right in front of the kitchen there is a window people take shortcuts through and are 1 inch from a wall glass thing.

[jamary1]

I like bedroom windows open when the weather is good, so it's second floor or above for me. Not enough security on the first floor.

[prospectheightsresident]

For many of the reasons already listed, I prefer not to live on the first floor of a condo.

[glamatomic]

I lived on the first floor once... I woke up early one morning to a noise at the window- got up and pulled aside the curtain and there was a guy standing there, about 6 inches from the window. He said sorry, he got the wrong address?



Suffice to say, even though I now live in a ranch style house, it is different to a first floor condo/apartment. I wouldn't recommend that.