Pros and cons of living on a high floor vs low floor in Dubai

• Living on a High Floor – The Good
• Disadvantages of Living on a High Floor
• Living on a Low Floor – The Good
• Disadvantages of Living on a Low Floor
• FAQs

Dubai is home to some of the tallest residential buildings in the world. When selecting a home in Dubai, tenants and buyers consider multiple factors; including the floor the accommodation is on. Both higher and lower floors of a building have certain advantages and disadvantages, meaning potential tenants can often find themselves in a ‘go high or go low’ quandary. How do you decide which floor will suit your individual requirements best? Our review of the high floor vs low floor debate aims to give you a better perspective of the available options.

ADVANTAGES OF LIVING ON AN HIGHER FLOOR

If you are unsure about living on a high floor vs low floor, here is a look at some of the advantages of living on an upper level.

PRIVATE AND PEACEFUL

If you are someone who wants a peaceful atmosphere at home, flats that are on a higher floor might suit you best. Traffic and hallway noise generally won’t bother you, making the space relatively noise-free.

INCREDIBLE VIEWS

One of the greatest advantages of living on the upper floors of a building is the amazing views. Dubai is rightfully famed for its spectacular skyline and you can enjoy that view day in, day out if your apartment is on a higher floor. Don’t forget the opportunity to take some fabulous pictures too.

BETTER VENTILATION

Top floors offer more exposure to natural sunlight and have better air circulation compared to the lower floors of an apartment complex. Just pull the shades aside when you need more light in your living room during the day.

On the flip side, you might feel a bit cold up there during the winter months. That’s a trade-off you have to evaluate when considering life on a high floor vs low floor.

LESS DUST

While this can vary depending on the area, generally, one of the convincing arguments when it comes to the pros and cons of a high floor vs low floor in Dubai is that you wouldn’t be spending too much time dusting in these units.

It will take considerably more kinetic energy for the dust particles to travel all the way up to say the 50th floor. Hence, if someone has dust allergies, the best floor to live on in a high rise is probably the highest floor.

DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING ON AN UPPER FLOOR

There are some disadvantages when living nearer to the skies.

EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS CAN BE PROBLEMATIC

Exiting a building during emergencies can be a problem for those living on the higher levels. Residents will likely need to use the emergency stairs in such situations, which can be time-consuming and fatiguing, especially if your apartment is very high up in the building.

However, with improving technology, developers are providing backup and taking other measures to ensure the security and safety of all residents.

HIGHER ELECTRICITY BILL

Temperatures during the day on top floor apartments rise more than lower floors because of direct sunlight exposure. This can lead to increased use of air conditioners and hence, a higher DEWA bill.

However, there are certain ways to reduce DEWA Bills that you can practice.

DEPENDENCE ON ELEVATORS FOR MOVEMENT

People living on upper floors are reliant on elevators for their ‘in and out of the building’ movements. This can be a problem during busy times of the day when there are many people attempting to use the elevators, potentially causing high floor residents to have to wait in line.

ADVANTAGES OF LIVING ON A LOWER FLOOR

There are certain advantages of living on a lower floor.

LOWER COST OF LIVING

Some apartment complexes may keep rents low for units on the lower floors since they lack the scenic views that most tenants desire. Tenants on lower floors also often enjoy considerably lower air conditioning bills due to their apartments having less exposure to natural sunlight during those hot summer months. This potential saved money is undeniably a big factor in the high floor vs low floor debate.

EASIER MOVE-IN PROCESS

There’s no doubt that it’s easier to move into an apartment that is on a lower level of a building. Not much fun to be had in lugging your worldly belongings up to the 31st floor of a skyscraper!

Especially if you are someone whose residence is dependent on their job i.e. frequent changes, it might be a greater hassle to move again and again from an upper floor. Of course, you can hire any of the top furniture movers in Dubai.

SUITABLE FOR PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION

Also of great significance is that People of Determination are likely to find lower floors more suitable as they provide considerably more convenient access.

ELEVATOR SHARING WITH PETS

Even if the building is pet friendly, there might be one resident who prefers not to share the elevator with your furry friend for long. Living on the lower floors means the journey is either small or you could take the stairs.

DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING ON A LOWER FLOOR

There are some issues that may arise when living in a low rise building.

NOISIER SURROUNDINGS

Lower floors are often exposed to noise from the road and the neighbouring locations. These types of abode may not be a good option for those who prefer a quiet living environment.

INFESTATION PROBLEMS

Residents living on the lower floors of a building may have to deal with pest or rodent issues. However, these problems can be resolved with routine deep cleaning practices and/or professional help via pest control companies in Dubai.

SECURITY CONCERNS

Flats on the ground or first floor can be more exposed to robberies and thefts. So if you are going for a lower floor apartment, make sure there are no security concerns. Plus, you can look for security solutions in Dubai as well.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SHOULD I RENT A VILLA OR AN APARTMENT?

There are certain challenges and advantages with either choice you may make. Read our blog about renting a villa or an apartment in Dubai to get clarity about which property type suits you better.

You can also consider renting a villa or a townhouse in Dubai.

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT RENTING PROPERTIES IN DUBAI?

Read our Dubai’s Q3 rental report to get a complete picture of the Dubai rental market.

That concludes our review of the pros and cons of living on a high floor vs low floor. Remember, there are many other factors that may influence your choice when renting a home in Dubai.

For instance, you can compare the pros and cons of living in old Dubai vs new Dubai. It’s also worth doing your research on different areas in Dubai, so you can find the perfect place for you. For example, if living in a bustling district is your preference, check out the pros and cons of Business Bay to figure out if it is the right choice.

Similarly, tenants in Dubai have the unique advantage of being able to choose from multiple types of units, even within the apartment category. You can choose between hotel apartments and residential apartments in Dubai. Also, potential tenants can book furnished apartments. If you’re interested, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of living in a furnished apartment in Dubai.

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