apartment at the first floor vs at the second floor?

[SammyKhalifa]

I used to live on the third floor of an old 3-story house, and it was always hot. One time I went out of town for three days, and when I came back it was literally 99 degrees inside (while only about 80 outside). Of course, I never turned on the heat in the Winter either. Your results will vary depending the age, insulation, etc., of your building (this house was old).

Of course, now I'm on the first floor and I kind of hate it. I have large front windows, and it feels like the neighbors are practically in my living room when they're outside and I have blinds open.

[SorryIMovedBack]

No privacy in a first floor apartment that puts your windows at or only slightly above sidewalk level. Anyone and everyone can stop and listen at your windows. You said 6 steps down, so that's like the lower level of a midentry house. You'll get feet walking past your windows, no privacy whatsoever if people want to lurk. You'll have to keep the windows curtained and covered up with window blinds. EAsy for somebody to crawl in one of those windows, too, unless you have bars.

Having to move furniture down 6-7 steps vs. up 6-7 is neither here nor there. It still has to go UP those stairs when you move out.

Walls below grade = need a dehumidifier, I would bet.

[airwave09]

Best situation of all is a 2 story rowhouse with a basement. You get the benefits of both a first and second floor apartment with a lot less of the negatives.