The Pros and Cons of a Ground Floor Apartment in NYC

When it comes to renting or buying an apartment in New York City, there are a lot of important factors to consider.

You have to think of the neighborhood, your commute, and what kind of apartment you want. And one of the most important considerations when searching for apartments is weighing whether you would consider a ground floor unit or not. Some people love them, while others would never consider a spot on the street level if they live in Manhattan.

Below, we outline some of the pros and cons to help you decide if that ground floor apartment listed for sale is right for you.

What is a ground floor apartment?

A ground floor apartment in New York City is the first floor of a building, and it typically overlooks the street. In some cases, the ground floor apartment may be below street level, with stairs leading down to the front door.

Ground floor apartments are usually less expensive than those on higher floors, but they can be noisy and may not have as good of views. Some apartments, like the first floor of a brownstone, sit slightly above the street. Spaces like this provide a perfect view for people watching as folks go about their day in the Big Apple.

Pros of a ground floor apartment in NYC

Lower prices
Less flights of stairs
Garden or courtyard access

Lower prices

When it comes to NYC real estate, the lower the floor, the lower the price. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, ground floor units are often smaller than those on upper floors, and they may not have as many features or amenities.

Additionally, ground floor apartments may be less private than units on higher floors, and they may be more susceptible to noise from street traffic or neighboring businesses. You are also going to hear all the comings and goings of people throughout the day and night. Plus, depending on the construction of the home, you may end up hearing each step taken by your upstairs neighbors.

For these reasons, ground floor apartments tend to be less expensive than those on higher floors. However, they can still be a great option for budget-minded renters or buyers who don't mind a little extra noise.

Less flights of stairs

Part of living in NYC is dealing with stairs. You face them on the subway and you can certainly face them in the home. Anyone who has lived in a fifth floor walk-up apartment can attest to the difficulty of move-in day when you have to lug furniture up several flights of stairs.

That is why one of the main advantages of a ground floor apartment is that you won't have to deal with as many stairs. This can be especially convenient if you are coming and going a lot, have large items to move in or if you're carrying groceries.

But of course, many buildings offer elevators and the benefit of being on the first floor means you do not need to wait for an elevator to take you up to your floor.

Garden or courtyard access

Ground floor apartments sometimes have private outdoor spaces that can take the form of garden spaces, backyards, or patios.

In a bustling city like NYC, you can’t deny the benefits of having outdoor space like fresh air, natural light, and the ability to garden. Not many people in the city are able to invite a host of people over and have an outdoor oasis to entertain them in.

Overall, the benefits of having outdoor space usually outweigh the downsides. If you're looking for an apartment with outdoor space, be sure to ask about the floor level when you're touring potential units.

Cons of a ground floor apartment in NYC

Less privacy and more street noise
Greater risk of break-ins
Greater risk of flooding
Potential for unwelcome critters

Less privacy and more street noise

One downside of living on the ground floor is that you may have less privacy than if you were living on an upper floor. Your windows are at or just slightly above eye-level, so while you can people watch to your heart’s content, folks on the street can take a peek in at your place, too. Luckily, a nice set of blinds, shades, or drapes go a long way to ensure privacy and safety.

Greater risk of break-ins

Street level apartments are usually the first choice for thieves looking to break and enter because of easier access to windows and doors. Thieves don't typically scale tall buildings, so the further up you live, the less of a target your apartment is.

However, this doesn't mean that break-ins can't happen on upper floors - it's just less likely. If you live on an upper floor, be sure to keep your windows and doors locked at all times. If you are planning to buy or rent a ground floor unit, you should consider investing in a security system as an extra precaution.

You can also secure yourself a home insurance policy to help give you peace of mind if anything were to happen.

Greater risk of flooding

Ground floor apartments have a greater risk of flooding than apartments on higher floors for a few reasons.

First, if you remember the 2021 super storm, most of the damage and flooding in the city occurred on the ground floors of buildings. This is because the water rose quickly and had nowhere else to go but into the ground floors of buildings.

Potential for unwelcome critters

Living at street level or on the first floor, there is a higher risk of unwelcome critters finding their way in to your home. This is especially true if the entry door to your apartment is near trash and recycling cans that attract bugs, mice, or even worse - rats.

Be sure to keep your doors closed, make sure your windows have sealed screens, and speak to your building super about any other preventive measures to avoid any unwanted guests.

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