Pre-pandemic, it seemed like the real estate world was all about large-scale projects with over-the-top amenities. Now, for many, finding a place to live revolves around buildings with fewer residents, reduced frequent touchpoints, and more private outdoor space. Walk-ups are suddenly more alluring and in-unit washers and dryers are quickly going from a nice bonus to a must-have. Yes, thanks to COVID-19, the ability to avoid personal interactions has become the most highly sought-after amenity of all. That’s why first-floor apartments — sometimes considered less desirable — are suddenly catching the eyes of home hunters. In fact, they have many more benefits than you might have thought. Here’s everything you need to know.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Stuyvesant Heights

498 Jefferson Avenue

$2,449 No Fee

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1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

455 Lexington Avenue

$2,842 No Fee

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1

Bushwick

1001 Bushwick Avenue

$2,750 No Fee

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1

Bay Ridge

7501 Ridge Boulevard

$2,400 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bushwick

300 Palmetto Street

$2,995 No Fee

3 |

1

Bushwick

27 Arion Place

$2,800 No Fee

Studio |

1

Flatbush

245 Martense Street

$2,750 No Fee

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1

Flatbush

2734 Snyder Avenue

$2,450 No Fee

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1

Greenwood

195 22nd Street

$3,000 No Fee

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1

Sheepshead Bay

3051 Ocean Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

Studio |

1

Flatbush

1503 Nostrand Avenue

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Sunset Park

450 51st Street

$2,500 No Fee

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What Exactly Is a First-Floor Apartment?

Not all first-floor apartments are created equal! Here are a few things to keep in mind when on the hunt for one.

It might seem like a silly question, but in NYC real estate, nothing is ever straightforward. Like all NYC apartments, first-floor apartments come in all shapes and sizes, some with more benefits than others. Some may face the rear, thus being quieter and more private than street-facing units, and some are even coveted duplexes.

“There are post-war condos, prewar coops, townhouses, and other varieties of structures with charming first-floor apartments,”  says Noemi Bitterman of Warburg Realty. “A first-floor apartment overlooking the river in the Beekman area has a very different feel and vibe than a first-floor apartment on 34th and Sixth.”

Manhattan Rentals Under $3500 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Hudson Yards

444 W 35th Street

$3,199 No Fee

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Hudson Heights

92 Pinehurst Avenue

$2,600 No Fee

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Morningside Heights

1270 Amsterdam Avenue

$2,300 No Fee

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1

Murray Hill

288 Lexington Avenue

$3,500 No Fee

Studio |

1

Upper West Side

566 Amsterdam Avenue

$2,500 No Fee

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1

Hell’s Kitchen

606 West 42nd Street

$3,202 No Fee

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Lincoln Square

112 West 72nd Street

$3,400 No Fee

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1

Lenox Hill

1435 York Avenue

$2,800 No Fee

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1

Chelsea

255 West 14th Street

$3,300 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kips Bay

212 East 26th Street

$2,750 No Fee

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1

Lenox Hill

370 East 69th Street

$3,350 No Fee

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East Village

231 East 13th Street

$3,000 No Fee

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Benefits of First Floor Living

There are a lot of positives to living on the first floor.

• Steering clear of elevators: “One perk is that there is no need to share the elevator with other residents,” says Bitterman. “Walking straight into your apartment feels like you are walking into a house.” No buttons to push or squeezing into tight quarters with strangers sounds pretty good these days.
• Avoiding stairs: This can be particularly beneficial if someone has mobility issues or small children. “Plus, walking right into your apartment with heavy grocery bags, with no need to wait for an elevator or climb a flight of stairs, is a big plus,” says Bitterman.
• Paying less (potentially): In some instances, first-floor apartments are less expensive than other similar units in the same building.
• Enjoying cooler summers and even more comfortable winters: Heat rises, which means first-floor apartments tend to be cooler. This can be a major bonus during hot NYC summers. It can be a perk in the winter too if a building provides too much heat.
• Having higher ceilings: While it’s not the case for all units, many first-floor apartments have higher ceilings than other units in the building. Says broker Gerard Splendore of Warburg Realty, an owner of two first-floor units: “My experience is that ceiling heights are a bit higher, as the first floor was originally commercial space.” Christopher Totaro of Warburg Realty adds, “One of the benefits of a first-floor apartment, especially downtown, is that you are more likely to find a space with high ceilings. And by high, I mean 14 to 16 feet or more. In my own space, I was actually able to build a second floor.”

Of course, there are some downsides to living in a first-floor apartment too. For example, there’s potential for more street noise and less natural light. But there are usually fixes for those. “Without a doubt, invest in shades that drop from the top, allowing light to enter the apartment while maintaining total indoor privacy,” says Bitterman. “Another tip is to get plants: Putting them on your windowsill can make up for a street view.” When it comes to noise there are plenty of tricks for soundproofing your apartment.

Queens Rentals Under $3000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Ditmars-Steinway

20-33 48th Street

$2,900 No Fee

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Astoria

30-06 29th Street

$2,850 No Fee

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Elmhurst

40-36 73rd Street

$1,900 No Fee

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1

Astoria

31-32 29th Street

$2,000 No Fee

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1

Ditmars-Steinway

21-49 48th Street

$2,700 No Fee

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Ozone Park

87-09 Dumont Avenue

$1,995 No Fee

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Astoria

31-40 30th Street

$2,300 No Fee

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Astoria

30-86 45th Street

$1,750 No Fee

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Ditmars-Steinway

20-25 24th Street

$2,675 No Fee

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1

Astoria

28-15 33rd Street

$2,300 No Fee

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Ditmars-Steinway

20-43 20th Street

$2,650 No Fee

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Ridgewood

1930 Bleecker Street

$2,400 No Fee

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Tips for Picking the Best First-Floor Apartment

• Pay attention to the floorplan: “Take careful note of the apartment layout and where it faces,” says Bitterman. To ensure a peaceful night’s sleep, for example, you’ll want the bedrooms to face the rear of the apartment and the common living space to face the street.
• Stay away from possible noise: “The unit’s location should be as far as possible from any ‘noise generators,’” says Splendore. These could include a doorman’s desk, elevator, recycling room, package room, mailroom, or lobby seating area where people may congregate. “And if the apartment is too close to the building’s entrance, it could be loud or drafty,” he adds.
• Search for an elevated first floor: In some apartments, the technical first floor could be six or seven feet higher than street level. This provides a nice separation from the outside world. A listing description will often note that variance, and you can always ask the broker to clarify.