In a real estate investment, location is one of the most important considerations. For compact living in vertical homes, meanwhile, opting for either a higher or lower floor is likewise an essential decision to make that will have a direct impact in every condo owner’s daily practical living.
There are both benefits and drawbacks for choosing to have a unit in either upper floors and lower floors, and having this information at your disposal shall help you choose the option that is most suitable for you. No two people have the same exact needs, so it goes without saying that one is not always superior to the other.
Let’s compare the pros and cons of floor units, be it upper floors, lower floors, and even middle floors to help you decide which floor level will benefit you more for your first home.
Pros and Cons: High Floor vs Low Floor Units
Deciding between a different level or a different building type, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks, may be difficult. Assess whether a unit’s compact spaces on a higher or lower level is better based on your own preferences and the sort of building you’re interested in living in.
Choosing Condo Higher Floors
It’s a practical investment to choose the higher floors for your condo unit. Although somewhat more costly, living in upper floors is well worth the extra consideration. Let’s further evaluate whether or not higher levels are the right floor type for you.
Pros
These are some of the benefits you may expect to reap if you decide to purchase upper-floor units:
Pest-free environment
When we say “pests,” we mean bugs, insects, and other creepy crawlers. They probably won’t make it to your higher floor unit due to the steepness of the slope. But mosquitoes are another story entirely, so you may want to still explore these natural insect repellents.
Magnificent views
The adage “the view is greater from up here” is especially true if your condo is situated in emerging locations in Greater Manila Area (GMA) and regional areas nationwide. The higher the floor you live in, the more spectacular the growing cityscape views.
Flood-free
When it rains heavily, much of the nation, particularly the metro, may be flooded. As a consequence, floodwaters entered people’s houses. Buying a condo on a higher level may be a good way to floodproof your investment.
Fewer security concerns
Stairs, elevators, and tall glass panes stand between you and your condo. This lowers the likelihood of a break-in happening since criminals choose targets with easy exits. So while upper floor units tend to cost more, it provides the best value for money as it can give you peace of mind from security concerns.
Peaceful living
When you live on a high floor, you’re farther away from the noise and activity on the ground floor units, so you can relax. Rail transit noise and vibrations of vehicles on the roads will all be dampened. Apartments on the upper floors of a building experience much less noise from pedestrians, both within and outside the high-rise buildings.
Cons
Living on higher floor units has many advantages; there are, however, a few drawbacks that should be considered first.
Harder to access in case of emergencies
You need to be able to get out of the building quickly in the event of a fire or a woman coming into labor. Consider the difficulty of evacuating if the stairwell is already clogged with people from lower-floor apartment.
Higher selling price
It’s general knowledge that people prefer to stay on a higher floor because of the added peace and beauty they provide. Therefore, it is not unexpected that units on higher floors cost 10-20% more to buy or rent than their ground-floor flat counterparts.
Hassle movability
There are more people living on and using the elevators, so you’ll have to wait longer than you would for a lower level. This might make it more difficult to relocate large pieces of furniture and carry around common household objects like grocery bags and suitcases.
Hotter temperature
You may learned from high school physics that hot air rises. As a result, more power is needed to cool higher units. In extreme cases, this might cause your AC costs to skyrocket.
Living in Condo Lower Floors
After learning about the advantages that dwelling in upper floors entail, you must also factor in the benefits that come with living in lower-level floors in order for you t make a more objective choice.
Pros
If you’re comparing lower floors in condo to those with beautiful views, you may be surprised to learn that the first-floor flats are a practical solution to a number of common condo ownership problems.
More accessible
You won’t have to worry about using the stairs or waiting for the elevator if they are easier to navigate. Also, your apartment’s main entrance, which provides easy access in and out, is conveniently located on the ground level.
More reasonable cost
The “less glamorous” option in a high-rise building is often the ground level. This drastically lowers the price. Consider how much cash you’ll save on air-conditioning costs by moving into a low-rise building.
Cooler temperatures
Since warm air rises, it requires less work to cool a building’s basement and ground level. As a consequence, less money is spent on cooling. This is perfect, especially with the Philippines’ weather, unlike in the US which requires higher heating costs during winter.
More outdoor area
If a condominium has a ground-floor unit, its residents can have access to a private yard or courtyard. Its the best floor for tenants with kids, pets, or who want to have parties outside.
Cons
Security concerns
Unfortunately, with more access comes a greater opportunity for break-ins. Thieves like easy targets, therefore a lack of stairs and long waits for elevators, as well as lower windows, will attract them. As such, you might want to consider a smart safety solution such as locking your doors without a lock to safeguard your unit.
Added noise and less personal space
Living lower to the top floors implies being subjected to more noise from the street below. Sound pollution from the busy street and noisy neighbors having fun in the swimming pool or above you are both regular occurrences.
Prone to pests
Everyone hates a steep incline except hikers. Insects and other bugs are just as bad. Mice, cockroaches, and lizards tend to ‘break in’ more often at a ground floor condo.
Having this information at your disposal can aid you in making a well-informed choice when looking to purchase a unit in a high-rise condominium building.
Living in a condo unit as your personal sanctuary is appealing because of the conveniences it offers, especially with common facilities such as a swimming pool and a fitness center, as well as enhanced safety with round-the-clock security services and the presence of multiple surveillance cameras.
You can make the most of your stay in your condo investment by selecting the best floor for your starter home.
Want to have more freedom in choosing the best condominium flooring for you? The newest vertical developer in town, Asterra, with properties situated in areas posed for growth, can give you the liberty to choose the best floor with its pre-selling units and value-packed condominiums.
Its thoughtfully designed spaces, moreover, come with excellent amenities that young professionals and investing overseas Filipinos love, such as a gym, sports court, community lounge, tranquil landscapes, and pool.
Not to mention that you get to live in an environment with open greens and proximity to essential establishments, including grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.
Become an Asterra condo owner soon and speak to one of our representatives today!
