Ground floor blues

Having stayed in a ground floor apartment all these years, its time to think back and make a comparison. If I were to buy a flat now, it would have to be some higher floor (surely not ground floor)...maybe the 3rd or 4th floor. Of course, there are very few buildings that have a ground floor flat these days; most usually have a stilt which is used for parkng vehicles.

Here are the advantages v/s disadvantages of a ground floor flat:

Advantages:

• Easy access (especially for elderly people in apartments where there is no elevator) for people as well as for material movement
  
• Staying on the ground floor is ideal if one has kids. Kids are in no danger of falling out from the windows or balconies and parents can even let their kids out to play and keep an eye on them
• Water pressure is the highest at the ground floor. So, water flow is guaranteed to be the highest.
  

Disadvantages:

• With too many apartments around, ground floor flats do not get the pleasure of enjoying a good sea breeze; besides, there is too much pollution and dust
  
• Diwali and other such festivals are a big pain. Most people burst crackers on the ground level; so decibel levels are the highest.
  
• Kids playing cricket is a perpetual problem because of the fear of broken window panes
• If one has to study for exams, it is also difficult to concentrate with so much noise around
  
• Privacy is also of concern since the windows are at an average person's height
• With the recent 26th July floods, it is also clear that ground floor flats are the most affected by the water coming into their houses