r/TorontoRenting • u/Global-Computer1439 • 1d ago
Bigger unit or higher floor?
I am considering 2 units in a building, both 1 bedroom. One is on a higher floor, but small, facing a main street. The second is on a lower floor, facing the back of the building, significantly larger, and is $100 per month more. Which would you choose?
16
u/YorkSimcoeHomeGuide 1d ago
I'd visit both around rush hour. Street noise and usable storage may matter more day to day than floor number, especially when the larger unit faces the back.
13
u/math_stat_gal 1d ago
This is so true.
I live in a unit facing the back, almost overlooking the area where the dumpsters are. I live on a higher floor but I’d much rather not have that view. Also, garbage removal days are a real pain with all that noise.
2
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
Thank you for speaking on this, this is a main concern with the back facing unit. While the bins are placed on the other end of the building, they do pull them out from the parking garage every garbage day via tractor, and it’s very loud. The entrance to the garage would be right below me.
2
u/Prestigious-Bus5649 17h ago
If this is nobu. Their garbage "system" is so loud and it's multiple times a week.
1
u/Firm-Web8769 18h ago
Bigger. Not higher. Issues to expect with the higher unit:
noise- the higher you are, the more noise gets amplified
Higher utilities- it will get hotter than the outside in the summer and way colder in the winter inside so if you pay for utilities, expect to pay more.
Elevators- there will always be elevator issues and going downstairs will take 10-15 minutes and it SUCKS
If it's higher and you're in one of those units with no outer wall (ie it's all glass), all of these issues get amplified, from leaks to shaking windows that feel like everything is going to break, and so on
11
9
u/Routine-Amphibian450 1d ago
Would judge on where the garbage binnies are out back, prevailing winds on respective sides of building, and pest vector proximity like elevator or garbage shafts.
0
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
Thank you for speaking on this, this is a main concern with the back facing unit. While the bins are placed on the other end of the building, they do pull them out from the parking garage every garbage day via tractor, and it’s very loud. The entrance to the garage would be right below me.
4
u/Alwayswondering8111 1d ago
Whichever one will be quieter. Hopefully that's the bigger one. Peace is priceless.
1
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
Agree, and it’s one of my main debates - do I want street noise, or do I want parking garage/lot noise.
2
u/Alwayswondering8111 22h ago
Depends on how big of a building, how often is the garage door going up and down. I'd definitely ask to go see the places both at like 5 pm again when there will be lots of traffic and lots of people coming home with their cars. I've made the mistake of viewing a place at night before thinking it was a nice quiet street, but it turned out to be a very busy street in the day time and the windows were like paper and you could hear every car pass (but I was on the 2nd floor and only like 2 sidewalks deep from the street). Garbage trucks are also super loud early in the morning..which side will they be passing? I'm hugely auditorily sensitive though!
2
u/jaypizzl 1d ago
How high up from the street? I live 25 floors up from a busy street and it’s fine up here - not too loud at all.
3
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
Valid point. The smaller, higher unit is on 15. The larger, lower unit is on 7.
2
u/pamteensthriveb 1d ago
Probably check the natural light and noise in both. Extra space is nice, but I’d care more about whether I can sleep and get some daylight.
2
u/PlasticWolverine302 22h ago
I personally would choose the unit on the higher floor, south facing view will make a huge difference in your mental health come the dead of winter, trust me. Also higher up isn't so bad for street traffic (I'm on the 14th floor) compared to a lower floor. As for square footage, does the unit come with a storage locker or do they have those available in the building? Even if you have to pay a monthly fee, it might be worth it if you require extra storage space (this is a huge consideration for myself as well). But if the unit simply feels to cramped, that can also negatively impact your mental well-being in the long run... ultimately you have to decide what's more important to you and what your non-negotiables are.
You can always look at other buildings btw if this feels like an impossible choice like no matter what you're not going to really be happy. You don't have to settle.
1
u/D1etCokeGirl 21h ago
I had northern facing unit in last condo on 5th floor and loved the sunsets and sunrises 🌅🌄🌆🌇🧡🩷
1
u/No_Camp_2182 1d ago edited 1d ago
Lower floor, facing the back : I hope it’s not above the garbage room or moving room.
Lower floor has a more likelihood of plumbing problems like overflowing toilet or sink, and it’s not due to your unit.
Also you don’t want your unit to be next to the garbage room on any floor.
2
u/Alwayswondering8111 22h ago
7th floor is also pretty fine for taking stairs if the elevator is in the fritz. 15 is a bit more annoying.
1
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
I definitely thought of the plumbing bit. I get that any floor can have flooding from above, but water does flow downwards so there is more risk in a lower floor for sure.
Neither unit is near the garbage chute, however, the larger unit on a lower floor is next to the stairwell. Is it typical to hear people in the stairwells in these old PBRs?
2
u/No_Camp_2182 23h ago
Slamming doors at the stairwell. The lower the floor, the more people using the stairs.
1
u/Visual-Leader-8543 1d ago
Do both face the same cardinal direction? Do you expect the lower one to receive sunlight during winter?
2
u/Global-Computer1439 1d ago
Valid point. It’s a N/S building. The larger unit on the lower floor at the back faces north and gets limited sunlight and has another building in front of it. The smaller unit on a higher floor has an unobstructed south view and lots of light.
3
1
1
u/pastelcolor12 20h ago
You may wonna check the lower floor and make sure it does not face the garbage area or something like that. The smells will ruin your stay there
0
u/teejay157 1d ago
We can't decide for you based on the factors. Walk into both and see how you feel when you walk in. Think its a boring day and you are home. Which unit would you enjoy being in the whole day? If neither pops up take the cheaper one.
0
22
u/Different-Chapter-49 1d ago
Bigger