To those who live/lived in apartments which floor is the best out of a 4 story block?

[apartmentadvuce]

So we are looking at living in a brand new 4 story block.

They all have balconies apart from the ground floor.
There is also lift access.
We are not sure which one to pick.
This is to rent not buy.

To those who have lived in flats/ apartments which is the best floor?
Taking noise, safety, and privacy into consideration.

Many thanks x

4th, you don’t have to worry about noise from above

Yep, definitely top floor.

Yep top floor, don’t get sandwiched between folks. If the block adjoins another, and there’s a side that doesn’t, go for that too

I'd also say 4th, as long as you're fit enough to climb the stairs if the lift breaks down. I've lived in a ground floor flat before and the noise from above was awful.

Go for 3rd floor - surrounded on all sides, you’ll save a fortune on heating bill.
(I’m on the 5th of 7 floors)

Top providing the lift is reliable

Does the ground floor have outside space at all?

I am on the second floor.
I wouldn't want to go higher because I think if there was a fire it would be too high to climb down from the balcony (if anyone thinks that's over dramatic there was a small fire in our block several years ago so I realised I had to have an escape plan).
Although the thought of having no noise above you does sound blissful so 4th floor would be good.
Check how easy it would be to get out in a fire if you were on the 4th.

I'm on the ground floor and love it! The higher floors are so hot in the summer. It's council owned so obviously didn't get to choose, it feels like a bungalow. Probably better built than new builds as well as I don't get any noise from above. I'd have been over the moon with any though after living in a hotel room with my children for weeks so probably not the best person to ask 😂

I have lived on the top of a 2 storey block and on the ground floor of a 3 storey block. While the ground floor was good for accessibility that's not an issue if there is a lift. And being on the top does mean there is no noise from above which is sometimes worse than noise from below.

I lived on the middle floor of three with no problems. This entirely depends on your neighbours

Or leaking showers from above

Ground floor 100%. Easier access when you've been shopping etc, and you don't have to worry about thudding about on the floor.

Another consideration is North, East, South or West if you get direction choices as well. South if you prefer it warmer, North if you prefer cooler. Stay away from the top floor if you don't like heat, especially during heatwaves.

I’ve lived ground and top floor ( not the same block) and so long as the lift was working preferred top as never felt entirely safe on the ground floor ( in particular never felt safe to sleep with windows open). Saying that we did get burgled in the top floor flat and the police said that while ground floor is prone to opportunistic theft from open windows, anything more forced they always go for the top floor as less likely to be heard or disturbed. It was also a pain having to wait for the lift when in a rush. I now live in a house, but I would probably go for first or second floor if living in a flat again. Although previous posters make good points about being surrounded and potential noise.
Can you see the layout of the entire block? A lot of modern ones are built so that bedrooms adjoin bedrooms, and living areas adjoining living areas which helps with the noise. Especially if the flats below and above match your layout.

Do you have the floor plans so you can see which walls adjoin so if there’s a bedroom that will be next to another flats kitchen or so on. If you can pick a flat not south facing so you don’t suffer the heat.

does the ground floor have an outside space?

Another vote for 4th floor. I'm on the 3rd of 3 floors- no noise from above is bliss.
I also only use the lift if I have a case or heavy bags - its amazing how much my fitness improved by just using the stairs every day.

I must admit I don't feel particularly keen living on a ground floor apartment due to the noise and security.

There is no outside space for the ground floor apartments either.

@JustploddingonandonWow, sorry to hear that you got burgled in your top floor flat. That is awful.

I will try and obtain some floor plans.

OP, as others have said, it depends on what you want, and what you can or can't live with.

I used to be a top-floor person, because of noise, but now with the summers so hot, I would only do top-floor if it faced north or east, and had dual aspect windows for airflow.

I would also be concerned about escape routes in the event of a fire. Check if the building has the flammable cladding.

Ground floor might not be as secure.

Probably a compromise between noise from above and heat rising in summer.

As someone else said, middle of the building would keep you well insulated in winter, lower heating bills. But possibly noise.

Floor plans will help, yes. Make sure, if you can, that your bedroom would not be against the adjoining wall to someone else's bathroom. Not pleasant when trying to sleep!

Where are your compromises? That should help you decide.

Top floor. No one thumping overhead. Fewer people going up and down the stairs outside your door. Furthest away from communal entrance and everyone coming and going. Good exercise going up the stairs (if you're fit enough).

I can live with heat but I am a very light sleeper and can't deal with noise.

I'm not really inclined to go with a ground floor just for safety so it looks as if I will choose a top floor apartment.

I never understand the worry about the security of ground floor flats when pretty much all houses have a ground floor.

I would say second or third. I have had the roof leak and it took ages for the management company to listen to me. They said the staining then mould at the top of a room most distant from bathroom was condensation at first.

Because bedrooms in houses don’t tend to be on the ground floor, so you’re not sleeping at street level.

I'd choose first floor - balance between safely escaping a fire and being able to leave my window open at night.