Is a second floor apartment less desirable?

in my build, the lobby has high ceilings. i heard that people complain about noise on the second floor.

my building has a lobby with high ceilings too - we dont actually have apartments on the second floor (besides super). The gym is located there. I am actually on a low floor - 4th. It is fine, but I think you need to survey area for noise and make sure you have double-paned windows etc. esp. if it is on lower foor.

The noise should not be much different between the 2nd and the 3rd. Sounds like the only real concern you have would be safety - if you don't feel safe 10 feet from street level, don't buy it. I prefer to face the back that low because of street noise, unless the back is just super dark and the front is sunny. The trash trucks in the morning are never much fun - whether it is the 2nd or 7th floor in my experience.

Facing the back gets you away from street noisy, but often acts as an echo chamber so that you hear music, TV, and even conversations from all the other apartments in all the buildings.

My aunt used to live on the 16th floor, facing the street, and could hear the little "doors closing" bell sound from the subway under 6th Avenue.

Don't make a decision whereby you think you'll *never* hear any kind of noise -- there's always something, and your expectations will be dashed.

I've actually heard from my broker there's a market for low floor apts (religious reasons for not taking elevator, fear of heights, quick exit in emergency, etc.).

I tend to stay lower myself (2/2) because:
1) I don't like to pay extra for the view.
2) You get elevators faster.
3) The common charges are usually lower.

Personally though, I probably would not go for a street level apt, not sure about a 2nd floor. A lot of the buildings nowadays don't even have ground floor apts (retail instead) and the next floor is the common area anyway.

Regarding noise, for about $800/window you can have interior windows installed that will block 90% of outdoor noise,(try citiquiet.com), and provide security.