Apartments and apartment buildings come in various forms. Just look at the Manhattan skyline and you’ll see all the various sizes of apartment buildings. There are high-rise apartment buildings, low-rise apartments — also known as garden apartments — and there are even mid-rise apartments.
Because there are a lot of options, it can lead to trouble deciding exactly which one to choose. This is what you should know about mid-rise apartments and the amenities they offer.
All about mid-rise apartments
Simply put, mid-rise apartments are buildings with at least four floors but no more than 12 floors. Sometimes there will even be retail shops on the ground floor.
Structures with more floors would be considered high-rise apartment buildings and ones with fewer than four floors are considered low-rises.
Mid-rise apartments can be found in almost every major city, urban area or even suburban neighborhood across the country as they are becoming increasingly more popular.
Benefits of living in mid-rise buildings
Here are just a few benefits of living in a mid-rise apartment building:
- Great views: Mid-rise buildings can offer stunning views that are usually much better than a low-rise. Many mid-rises come with balconies that will let more natural light into the unit. Depending on your location you can see great views of the surrounding area.
- More elevator space: High-rise buildings hold a lot more people, which means the elevators are often cramped. On the other hand, mid-rise apartments often have fewer tenants. Because of this, there are fewer people attempting to use the elevator. There also aren’t as many floors, so there should be less wait time for the elevator. It’s also easier and less daunting to take the stairs in a mid-rise apartment compared to a high-rise.
- Amenities of a bigger building: Just because they’re in smaller buildings, doesn’t mean mid-rise apartments have fewer amenities. Many mid-rise buildings offer garages or covered parking and swimming pools. There is also convenient access to green spaces in many mid-rise apartments.
- More privacy: When living in a mid-rise apartment building, you’ll typically find yourself with more privacy. Most buildings have fewer units, and that means fewer people that can invade your personal space. When living in a mid-rise apartment, you can get to know your neighbors and benefit from the friendly vibes while still having private time.
Cons of living in a mid-rise apartment building
While there are many benefits to living in a mid-rise building, there are also some cons to consider before making your decision.
- Possible noise concerns: Because taller buildings have higher floor levels, people are more spaced out. If there are noisy people on the 10th floor you won’t be able to hear them from the ground floor. You’ll also hear less noise coming from the city and streets in high-rise apartments compared to mid-rise apartments. Because the space is more intimate, you may hear more noise from your neighbors above or below you.
- More families may reside near you: Typically, families prefer mid-rises to high-rise buildings or low-rise buildings. If you’re looking for a new apartment and you aren’t someone who is thrilled about living next to children then high rises might be the option for you.
- Less secure compared to high rises: Mid-rises are often more secure than low-rise apartment buildings but may be less secure than high-rise buildings because there is easy access to the building from the street. Make sure where ever you decide to live that it is safe and secure before moving into the apartment building.
Does floor level matter?
Which floor should you rent on? Deciding what floor to rent on is entirely up to your preferences and lifestyle. There are things to consider no matter which floor you pick, including what to know about safety.
Low floors
Living in units on the lower floors will give you easier access to the street, parking, common areas and retail shops. Sometimes you could pay less rent because it doesn’t have the same city views as in taller buildings. But it is worth considering the noise the people on higher floors could generate.
Mid-level floors
Living in mid-level units is a good mix of the two. You’re not on the ground level, giving you a little extra security and fewer people above you. You’re also fewer flights up the stairs and an even shorter elevator ride to your apartment. But you may miss out on the stunning views that people love when they live higher up in the building.
High floors
Living on the top floor of most apartment buildings will give you access to cleaner air and a better city view. But you will be spending more time climbing stairs if the elevator isn’t available. You may also pay more for top floors because it’s considered premium space.
To live or not live in a mid-rise apartment
Picking where to live is a big decision no matter how you look at it. Choosing location, size and even type of building is a lot to consider. Take your time to do your research on everything from the city you’ll be living in to the amenities the apartment building offers.