Jacksonville rental homes come in a variety of shapes and sizes — and elevations. In many cases, rental homes and apartments have units directly above or below other units. Given the option to choose to live on the top floor or the bottom floor, what would you choose? Although the top floor is often said to be the most desirable location, it depends on your particular situation and needs. As you weigh the pros and cons of the top floor and the bottom floor, you can figure out which option is best for you.
Ease of Access
Access is a big factor in deciding between a ground-level rental and one higher up. Consider things like stairs or elevator access for top-floor apartments and your ability to navigate them each day. Costs of moving are also usually higher for top-floor apartments since movers tend to charge higher rates for bringing furniture up and down flights of stairs. Bottom-floor rental homes typically have easier access.
Safety
Safety is also an important consideration when choosing between the top floor and the bottom floor. Rental homes that are higher up are usually more secure since there is less access to windows from the outside. However, this will also mean that it could be harder to escape through a window in case of fires or other emergencies. If security is on your priority needs list, you can choose a rental home location that gives you that.
Noise
Noise levels can also be a dealbreaker when choosing a rental home. As a general rule, top-floor apartments tend to be less noisy than those below. But this will not guarantee that your downstairs neighbors won’t be noisy, either. And, if you live above someone else, you risk being found to be the noisy one. You will have to deal with the hassle that comes with being reported to the landlord.
Natural Light
Top-floor rental homes have the advantage of receiving more natural light. Especially in areas where buildings are near each other, rental homes that are higher up to get more light than those on the bottom. Bottom-floor rentals, on the other hand, have the advantage of being closer to gardens or a common yard, so if you prefer flowers to skylines, you might want to pick the bottom floor.
Cost of Utilities
You should also consider the cost of utilities. In general, top-floor apartments tend to have higher utility costs than bottom-floor homes. During warm weather, hot air tends to rise, meaning your air conditioning unit will need to work harder to cool a top-floor rental home than a bottom-floor one. Since bottom-floor apartments tend to stay cooler, they are less expensive to heat and cool than those on the top floor.
Ultimately, your needs and preferences will determine which option is best for you. But if your current Jacksonville rental isn’t ideal, maybe it’s time to find a new place to live. If you are in the market for a new rental home, Real Property Management Champion can help! Visit our website to check out our listings, or give us a call today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
