Is High Floor Living Right For You? The Pros And Cons
Many homeowners dream of securing a unit on the topmost floor of a residential building. Apart from the excitement of living high up the ground, a top-floor BTO or HDB executive condominium in Singapore certainly has key advantages worth the extra cost, such as exceptional views, fresher air, and supposedly a pest-free living experience. That said, high-floor living is not all sunshine and rainbows. Here is the lowdown of the pros and cons of living at the literal top according to those who have experienced it.
Pros
1. Exceptional views
It goes without saying that living high up (20 floors and up, according to some homeowners) grants superb views like no other. Depending on where the development is situated, your property could be overlooking verdant greens from a nearby park or the azure seas surrounding Singapore. Certainly, having this unblocked view and an outdoor terrace that provides lifestyle benefits is one of the best parts of being at the top.
2. Better privacy and less disturbance
A common headache many homeowners face is disturbance from their upstairs neighbours. Depending on when such commotions occur, these annoyances can either be mildly irritating or outright infuriating, such as when they happen at night when you are trying to sleep. Another issue worth considering is privacy, where there is less on the lower floors housing several units and thus more people to live alongside.
Living on the top floor eliminates these concerns because no one else lives above your unit, and there are generally only one or two units at the very top. Besides a disturbance-free and more private experience, you could get away with more grey area things such as putting more shoes, plants, and so on in the common area since no one else comes up, unlike on the ground floor where things are more visible.
3. Fewer pests problems
Many believe that higher floor units experience fewer pest problems, and while there is some truth behind this, it depends more on overall condo maintenance. A well-maintained development ensures a pest-free environment for residents, but there may still be the occasional cockroach scuttling about in the common chute near the ground floor.
Cons
1. New developments blocking the view
It is not uncommon for a high-floor unit's view to get obstructed by new developments of the same height. When this issue happens, those living in floor units feel like they lose more since they paid extra per square foot. The best way to avoid this from happening is to keep an eye on the URA zoning map before purchasing and avoid condos that have a high plot ratio of residential land nearby.
2. Increased reliance on lifts
Lifts with long waiting times may be slightly inconvenient for those living on the lower floors, but it is much worse for those on the higher and topmost floors. There is also the higher risk of being completely cut off should all the lifts go out of order. Thus, it is recommended to opt for developments with three or more lifts if you are aiming for top-floor living to avoid such issues.
3. Higher cost
Top-floor units and penthouses will generally come at a premium cost, especially for newer developments, with the price further increasing if more outdoor space is included. This added premium can reach as high as $100,000 for a one or two-storey difference. But recently, more and more developers are using an "all-floors-same-price" deal and similar promotions to get sales going during the initial launch phases of a development project.
Conclusion
For the most part, top-floor living is well worth the premium fetching price, with the only main concerns being another development getting in the way of your view and long wait times on the lifts. But with proper planning before signing on the dotted line, it is easy to avoid these issues and enjoy peace of mind in your new living space.
If you are keen on buying an executive condominium on the topmost floor and experiencing high-floor living yourself, NeezaNizam is the housing agent in Singapore who can help you find exactly what you are looking for, especially when you’re looking to upgrade from HDB to EC. With more than two decades of experience as resident property experts, we guide first-time and experienced buyers on all things real estate, from home ownership and securing loans to asset progression. Book an appointment with us today to learn more about our other services!
