High-Rise Condos: The Pros and Cons

Deciding whether or not to buy any living space is a major decision, much less a luxury condo. Whether you’re looking to buy a condo as an investment property or are plotting out where you’d like to spend your golden years, purchasing real estate is a commitment.

As with all things, there are upsides and downsides to living in a high-rise condo. For many people the pros quickly outweigh the cons, but there are cons to consider as well. Here are the biggest pros and cons that most people consider when deciding whether or not to buy a high-rise condo unit.

High-rise condos: The pros

From skyline and ocean views to access to exclusive amenities that no single-family house or townhome could provide, there are many advantages to high-rise condo living. Some of the best parts of living in a highrise include:

1. Maintenance-free living

When you live in a high-rise building, you pay HOA fees that go to the repair and maintenance of the building. That means that it’s someone else’s job to handle problems as they crop up. While you’re generally responsible for issues inside your unit, there’s a whole staff of people familiar with your building who you can reach out to if you ever need help.

2. A car-free lifestyle

Because most high-rise buildings are constructed where they are based on location, many have high walkability scores which makes car-free living more possible than in most other places. Of course, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned American road tip, but thanks to on-site parking, it’s easy to keep a car and only use it when you really need to.

3. The best of urban living

Speaking of location, all that walkability means access to everything from shopping and nightlife to cultural treasures within mere blocks of your home. Whether those cultural treasures are museums or beachfronts, most high-rise buildings offer access to the best of urban living as soon as you step out the front door.

4. Exclusive amenities you can’t get anywhere else

This is perhaps the main reason that people opt for high-rise living. The amenities that towering condo buildings offer are hard to beat — and they’re almost always reserved for residents and guests. From heated rooftop pools to state-of-the-art fitness centers and wellness spas, everything you might need is often on site. Amenities really go through the roof if your building is a condotel — a condo and hotel hybrid that often come wit bars and restaurants on the lower floors of your building!.

5. Unbeatable views

The views that high-rise buildings offer simply cannot be had anywhere else. When you live in some of the highest buildings in a given city, your views are going to be the envy of your friends year-round — especially on holidays like the Fourth of July!

6. Security and other staff

From doormen and security staff to concierge services and more, the built-in services you get from a high-rise condo are unparalleled. Parking is often secure and monitored as are the buildings themselves, often 24/7 which makes crime in high-rise buildings almost non-existent.

High-rise condos: The cons

Naturally, we think there are far fewer cons to living in a high-rise condo, but there certainly are some. There’s no getting away from the fact that there are downsides to anything, including living above it all in a high-rise condo.

Some of the cons to high-rise condo living include:

1. Elevator time

Especially when you’re living on the highest floors with the best views, elevator rides can reach up to almost ten minutes top to bottom. Many highrises offer private elevators in order to reduce the time, but there’s still a bit of a commute to consider between entering the building and walking through your front door.

2. Neighbors on top of neighbors

Living in a towering high-rise means floors on floors of units which means neighbors on top of neighbors on top of neighbors. For some people (we’re talking to you, extroverts), this is actually a positive. But for many, the number of people you’ll encounter around the building can be a serious downside to consider.

3. Shared spaces

Speaking of neighbors, many of the amenities that buildings offer will be shared. That means you’ll have access to perks like personal cinemas, but you’ll have to reserve it if you want to have it all to yourself.

Cabana-ringed pools are a common feature in luxury buildings, but even a private cabana can’t stop the noise from other people at the pool. Plus, some people just don’t take care of things that don’t directly feel like theirs, so if your neighbors keep breaking or mishandling things, some of the amenities you enjoy could change or disappear.

Ultimately, there is no pro or con that's universal to everyone. What one person considers a downside could be a major perk for someone else. The key is to figure out what your personal pros and cons are and decide from there.

Even if you have an extensive cons list, we’re ready and here to help you find the high-rise condo of your dreams that gives you everything you want and nothing you don’t.