High or Low Floor? Which Is Best For An Investment Property?
- Stuart Chng
- Jan 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
When it comes to choosing a home in Singapore, many people already have preconceived ideas of the optimal level they would prefer or accept.
These reasons are likely to be psychological and/or habitual. For instance, individuals who prefer high floors may have spent their entire lives living in apartments on higher floors, while others may not see much downside in lower-rise apartments because they have been staying in landed properties.
In this article, we will explore the factors you should seriously consider when deciding whether going low is the way to go, or if you’re better suited for something higher up.
Ready? Let’s go!
Generally, high-floor units are brighter and have better ventilation than low-floor ones, as they receive more sunlight and are less obstructed by surrounding structures (meaning more blue skies to enjoy!).
Does that mean you should always go for the highest unit available?
Pros and Cons of High- vs Low-Floor Apartments
High-Floor Advantages
1. Lower exposure to dust and insects
Airing the house is something everyone does (or at least should do). For those on higher floors, there is much less concern about dust from traffic and insects wandering into the unit. Not that pesky crawlers won’t find their way into your home — it’s just less likely, as they have little incentive to keep ascending when sufficient food sources are available at lower levels.
2. Less noise pollution
Units on higher floors usually experience a lot less noise pollution from traffic, animals, and ambient noise from events or activities.
That said, it’s important to note that you typically need to be on relatively high floors for this benefit to materialise. Generally, units on the 15th storey or higher enjoy the best noise reduction. Units below that may still pick up certain frequencies of traffic noise, depending on the environment’s acoustics.
Example 1 (High-floor): You may still hear people talking at the coffee-shop downstairs even if you are on the 15th storey.
Why?
Sound may be reflecting or bouncing off the façade of the opposite building. Since there are no obstructions for sound travelling upward, it cannot be absorbed or deflected by objects (sound travels in all directions — not just upward, as many mistakenly believe).
Example 2 Really High Floor: On the 29th storey of Bayshore Park, Jade Tower where my dad used to live, i found it dead quiet to the point of hearing a faint high pitch sound when sleeping in the room. I found the dead silence unbearable as i was used to some ambient traffic noise and hence had trouble sleeping.
Take note that if you are buying a unit facing the inside of condominium facilities, with surrounding blocks enclosing the pool area, this may also create an echo chamber that reflects and amplifies sound — even for higher-floor units.
3. Better security compared to very low levels
Higher-floor units generally offer better security, as break-ins are far less likely compared to ground-floor or low-floor units.
4. Less electricity consumption
Windier with better ventilation
Higher floors are also windier and enjoy better ventilation, especially when facing north or south.
It can get so breezy and cool that some clients have reported wearing knitted sweaters even before the year-end monsoon season.
Brighter home
As the sun shifts throughout the day and casts shadows from neighbouring blocks, higher-floor units experience fewer obstructions. This means more sunlight for longer periods, reduced reliance on dryers due to improved laundry-drying conditions, and overall energy savings.
5. More privacy
Naturally, the higher you go, the fewer neighbouring units (from other blocks) can look into your home, allowing you to enjoy greater privacy.
6. Better Views
Great views are a luxury in a city surrounded by concrete buildings. While this depends on your district or development, higher units typically enjoy a wider field of view and more scenic surroundings.
All that said, there are also advantages to staying on a low floor.
Low-Floor Advantages
1. Less time spent waiting for and riding lifts
Research suggests that we spend approximately six months of our lives waiting for and commuting in elevators. Wouldn’t it be great to reclaim that time for more meaningful moments?
2. Safer for toddlers and children
Curious children with little safety awareness can be a major concern for parents. While accidents are rare, worst-case scenarios on lower floors generally result in less severe injuries and significantly lower fatality risks.
3. Better pool views or greenery views
If you enjoy being close to greenery or pools, lower-floor units may be ideal. The best units are often those where, from eye level in the living room or bedrooms, you can catch glimpses of water or greenery without obstruction.
These are some of my personal recommendations, after having seen thousands of homes over the years.
- Lower floors (7 and below) are generally ideal for pool-view units. Anything higher often requires standing on the balcony to enjoy the water view.
- Pool-view units usually face neighbouring blocks, so it’s important to check the distance between buildings.
- Buying a high-floor pool-view unit that directly faces another unit may result in spending most of your time looking into your neighbour’s home.
- If you enjoy greenery, you don’t need to go too high (and pay more per level). As you go higher, your view shifts toward more sky and less foliage. Imagine viewing greenery from a cable car — not much detail and more blues than greens, right? Choose a unit just above the tree canopy to maximise green views.
4. Lower cost than high-floor units
Lower-floor units generally cost less, allowing you to allocate the savings toward renovations or furnishings.
5. Easier to move bulky furniture
If you own large furniture pieces (e.g. antiques made from rare woods), it’s much cheaper to move them into lower-floor units. Movers often charge extra when cranes or staircases are required.
Imagine living on the 40th storey with lifts that can’t accommodate your S$600,000 16th-century Huang Hua Li bed frame.
6. More pet-friendly
No matter how adorable your pet is, some neighbours may disagree. Living on lower floors makes it easier to avoid awkward lift situations — especially if your dog is overly affectionate.
f you’d like a more comprehensive guide to buying property in Singapore, learning how to choose the right home involves many more considerations. Seasoned investors can even shortlist prime units by analysing floor plans, site maps, and the URA Master Plan alone.
In the meantime, if you’d like help selecting a good unit or want someone to help identify potential blind spots, feel free to drop me a message.
Need an opinion on your property investment plans, the best buys available or help marketing your properties?
Get a 1-time free 30 min Property Wealth Planning consultation with Stuart and his partners. Schedule one right now.
A PWP consultation includes:
- An in-depth financial affordability assessment and timeline planning
- Highly relevant investment insights
- A clear and customised investment road map
- A curated list of best buys in today's market with good growth potential & minimal risks
- Selecting units with the highest potential in a new launch project
- Advice on marketing and getting a buyer for your property fast
Stuart Chng, Executive Group District Director at Huttons, is a renowned leader and personality in the real estate industry.
He adores music and can play a few instruments decently without upsetting his neighbours. When not doing so, he enjoys pillow fighting with his son and coming up with silly puns which barely amuses his wife.
Professionally, he is a licensed real estate agent, avid investor in options, stocks and real estate, team leader, speaker and columnist for several property newsletters and blogs and is often quoted in media interviews on 938FM, Channel 8, PropertyReport, PropertyGuru and other publications.
Throughout his career, he has helped many clients grow their wealth through selecting great real estate investments and managing their portfolios actively. Read his clients' reviews here.
Stuart has also coached many top million dollar producing agents from top Singapore real estate agencies. Read his agents' reviews here.
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