low floor apartments

I don't beleive a low floor is a big negative in fact some people prefer the security of a low floor. I think I would rather be on the third floor of an apt if there was a fire rather than on the 40th. On the other hand many people like the views of a higer floor and therfore there is a premium to that (about 5,000 per floor). Lower floors may be noiser than high floors. High floors may be inconvienent if you forgot something and had to go back to a high floor. I personally would hate to stuck on the 30th floor in an elevator. Just my two cents but I think you should buy based upon what you like particularly if you plan to stay there for a while.

i hate high floors and will not live beyond the third. if you have good wndows u wont hear much. after 911 u wont get me on a high floor

I love high floors because of the views they afford, however I can totally understand about the security issue, which is not a small one. I recently decided against buying a condo because the floor was so high that when I stood by the floor to ceiling windows I got dizzy and nausea.

Recently there was an article in the paper about Orthodox Jews who prefer lower floor apartments due to Sabbath obligations. Personally, I prefer a second or third floor apartment, with good light, due to the convenience of not being dependent on the elevator. Besides, taking the stairs up a flight is quite healthy! Look around the city, you won't see too many vacancies in lower floor apartments and in townhouses,which many people covet, you're not going to get a panaramic view of anything!

I lived in a 300 unit penthouse with 3 working elevators. Coming home after partying with no bathroom in the lobby was pretty bad...

We live on the first floor in the back of the building. Although we did not think it was an ideal apartment to buy at first, we have come to appreciate some positives: (1) no dealing with elevator or stairs with a stroller and/or bags; (2) we have 11 foot ceilings because the lobby has higher ceilings (the other units have 9 foot ceilings); (3) no safety/security issues b/c there is no access to the back of the building (of course this cuts down in light, but also on noise b/c there are no trucks driving by); (4) no noise from neighbors below; (5) we get food/grocery deliveries faster b/c there is no wait for the elevator (small plus, but still there). On the negative side, a lot of people would not go for the lower natural light associated with the 1st floor when we try and sell someday (although it is really the same for the first few floors) and we can sometimes hear people in the lobby if they are being really loud. If I had my preference, I'd take an apt. a few floors higher, but it really is not that big a deal to us.

i think you will find 100 different answers/reasons if you ask 100 different people. I prefer high floors due to the noise of lower floors. truth be told i hesitate to live on any floor that isn't a top floor due to my experiences with loud neighbors stomping every time they walk in their apartment.

I live in the clouds, no noise. Owned.

We really enjoy our second floor walkup. Street with beautiful trees, across from
wonderful quaint UES stores. Look out the window to see who is there. No tips to
doormen or slow elevators to deal with.

As it relates to resell, lower floors are generally sold at a discount to higher floors. Garden floors (1st level) are discounted the highest.

Third floor should not be a significant factor but if you are in say a 14 story building, and all other things being equal, your unit will generally sell at a slight discount to say the 10th floor.

Of course there are always exceptions and if the apartment has decent light I would not worry about a significant reduction on the value of the apartment.