How to value a ground floor apartment compared to a fourth floor walk-up?

[lower_nyc]

How would you value a ground floor apartment compared to a 4th floor walk-up, all other considerations equal? Ground floor units are typically less desirable and therefore much harder to sell, but the same argument can be made for walk-up apartments on/above the 4th floor.

For me it's no comparison - light and views (even with a walk-up) are always superior to a potentially dark garden level apartment. But I understand that others may have a different opinion.

What are your thoughts?

[aslan]

Both are not optimal, but if I had to choose, would likely go with the walk up vs the ground floor apartment. My girlfriend will plain refuse to live in a ground floor unit. Too much risk of bugs, flooding and noise from above. Plus, safety can be a concern as well as it's much easier to break into a ground floor apartment ... just imagine all the windows you would have facing out to the street.

A 4th floor walk up is definitely not ideal either in the sense that you'd have a really tough time moving furniture up and down. And even the daily commute up the stairs can be a strain when you're tired. But it definitely beats ground floor. Plus, there's a better chance you'll have more light and views from a higher floor.

[lower_nyc]

Both are not optimal, but if I had to choose, would likely go with the walk up vs the ground floor apartment. My girlfriend will plain refuse to live in a ground floor unit. Too much risk of bugs, flooding and noise from above. Plus, safety can be a concern as well as it's much easier to break into a ground floor apartment ... just imagine all the windows you would have facing out to the street.

A 4th floor walk up is definitely not ideal either in the sense that you'd have a really tough time moving furniture up and down. And even the daily commute up the stairs can be a strain when you're tired. But it definitely beats ground floor. Plus, there's a better chance you'll have more light and views from a higher floor.

I agree with you. 4th floor walk-up (and perhaps even a 5th floor walk-up) beats a ground floor apartment any day. Although there are different type of 'ground floor' units. Some are elevated off of the street whereas others are literally at ground level.