North Facing 3rd Floor vs. South facing top floor (Dallas: apartments, condo)

[joythelove]

Hi guys, I really need your advice!

Two options:

1) North facing apartment on the third floor
2) South facing apartment on the top (4th floor)

This apartment has been recently renovated.

We want a lot of natural light during the day, so prefer the South facing unit, but heard that the top floor apartment in Texas may charge too much electricity bill. I am aware that the sunlight is "indirectly" getting into the South facing unit, but worried it is on the top floor. The North facing unit would be darker during the day but probably less electricity bill?

What would you choose? Please leave a comment for my family.
Thank you!!

[TheOverdog]

Generally in Texas in my opinion, north facing is better because with south facing in the summer, you will need the shades drawn to stop glare and to control the temperature. North facing you should be able to leave your shades open, and will still get plenty of sun if they are not blocked by anything outside.

In most states, south facing is better, but Texas is an exception.

[stephwin]

North for sure. I had a south-facing 2nd story apartment for a few years and the sun was brutal during the summer, even when the blinds were closed. My electricity bill was always really high in the summer too.

[ThomasCrown]

The direction they face wouldn't sway me in this instance, as I'd always rather have a top floor unit than have to listen to someone walking above me all the time. Apartments are built cheap and even someone walking normally above you can sound like an elephant from the unit below.

That trumps any concern of temperature to me.

[WorldKlas]

No question NORTH. I own a condo in Dallas on 2nd floor facing north. Lighting is great. I moved from a house facing south and am much happier with lighting at all times of the day.

[tjacks7]

I'd choose whichever direction gets DirecTv and the Sunday Ticket. I'd also get as close as I could to the bottom floor unless of course you have an elevator in the building.

[loves2read]

If u work outside home then U aren't home much before 6pm and drapes could stay drawn during hottest part of day...

Noise could be big drawback if you have loud neighbors in apt over you

[joythelove]

My wife and daughter will spend the most of time at home. The concern I have is electricity bill + my daughter cannot stand with hot temperature. She sweats like raining when it is above 80. My wife wants a lot of natural light but after reading the comment above, I guess lighting is also great in units facing North.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Forget south-facing. Texas summers are brutal.

[davbetcoo]

Generally south facing windows do not receive significant sunlight during the summer in North Texas.

The sun is high enough in the summer sky to be mostly blocked by even a small canopy or shade structure above the window. The sun may hit the windows, but the severe angle prevents it from penetrating into the room. East and (especially) west facing windows receive much more direct sun and heat in the summer here.

During the winter months of course, south facing windows receive quite a lot of sun. The biggest issue I've seen is during the month of September - when the sun is low enough in the sky to reach south facing windows, but it is still quite hot here.

Now if the windows are not true south - but slanted slightly east or west, then you could receive a good dose of sun in either the morning or afternoon.

I love natural light, so personally I would choose the south facing window.