Aug 19 2022

Is it always better living on higher floors?

Ethan Ng

Given the size of Singapore, it is no surprise that the majority of the population are living in non-landed residential properties and one factor to consider is picking the right floor to live on. In general, most people prefer to live on higher floors which provides for greater privacy and better views. And despite the hefty price tag, these units are frequently snapped up fast. On the other hand, lower floors do have merits that attract interest from buyers. Some of these factors will be discussed.

Advantages of living on higher floors

With that being said, let’s take a look at the advantages of living on a higher floor. It is understood that living on a higher floor features better views of the surrounding area which is especially so in lower density areas where there are less obstructions which also brings about better wind ventilation.

With better views and ventilation it is no surprise that units on higher floors have a better resale value compared to units on lower floors. Which could be of use in the future where owners can resell or rent out their units at a higher price. There are also insubstantial advantages brought about living on a higher floor. For instance, it can be said that units at a higher level are less prone to pests.

Rats, cockroaches and other pests are frequently found on lower floors especially in garbage chutes that are located on the ground floor. Hence it is more convenient for them to enter your home if it’s located on lower floors.

However, this is true only to a certain extent. Residing on a higher floor does not guarantee that your home is pest-free. General cleanliness and personal hygiene also play a significant factor. Pests will only thrive if you leave food lying around or if your home is left unclean. Another possible advantage is that the higher up you are, the further you will be from the clamouring sounds of people, especially in areas of common facilities such as swimming pools/barbeque pits and the drilling noise from surrounding worksites.

Thus providing more privacy and lower noise levels. However it has to be mentioned that this is only applicable to relatively higher floors. Sound travels in all directions and cannot be absorbed nor deflected by any objects. Therefore if there is no obstruction for sound travelling upwards and if the unit is not high enough, the noise could be as loud or even louder than on the lower floor. Hence this factor is dependent on how high up your unit is.

Advantages of living on lower floors

An advantage of living on a lower floor is the greater convenience. A common issue for residents residing in higher floors is that more time is wasted waiting for and in lifts. Units in condominiums on lower floors provide better convenience to facilities such as pools and gyms as well (depending on property type as some have their facilities located on higher floors). Furthermore, in the event of an emergency or lift failure situations, it would be less of a hassle to evacuate the building by taking the stairs rather than the elevator. For families with elderlies, disabled family members or with pets, living on lower floors could be a better option given the greater accessibility.

Units on lower floors may offer a larger floor space in comparison to their counterparts on higher floors. This is a result of Private Enclosed Spaces (PES) which offers residents an apartment that has a patio typically enclosed by a gate, providing an outdoor yard. Even though residents living in units on lower floors may not enjoy the windy breeze, lower units will not be exposed to dusty conditions brought about by the wind on higher floors.

Higher or lower floors

Now that we have discussed both the advantages of living in both lower and higher level floors, it boils down to the needs of you and your family.

Units on lower levels would be recommended if you do not mind the noise and excitement from the neighbourhood and do not want to spend more money for effectively the same property. Secondly, if you are living with elderly or young children picking a unit on a lower level would be more suitable.

Parents with young children learning to climb and not understanding safety precautions yet would have a greater peace of mind living on lower floors. Another major advantage of living on a lower floor is that you spend less time waiting for lifts which can be agonising when a breakdown occurs.

On the contrary, units located on upper floors would be more suitable for you if you value your privacy and prefer breathtaking views of the neighbourhood. This could also provide added security in comparison to living on lower levels as for instance it would be easier to break-into units at lower levels.

Additionally, your property will enjoy better wind ventilation throughout the year and have fewer pests overall. Most importantly, considering that buyers typically pay more for units that are located on higher floors, your home would likely have a greater resale value in the future.

Now, let us take a look at two recent launches to observe the effects of floor premium on average unit prices.

From the graphs above we can see that the general trend which follows is that the higher the level, the greater the average unit price per square foot. However, there is a small exception for One Holland Village Residences whereby there is a dip in average price before prices increase again.

This shows that even though it is a general consensus for higher level floors to cost more, there are still some pros of living in a lower floor which causes the dip in price initially reflected in One Holland Village Residences.

For more information, visit our FAQ section.
Do check out our blog for more Real Estate content.