During your rental journey, you may come across apartment types that are new to you. If you’re apartment hunting in an older city, a common term to hear is “walk-up apartment.” Known for their stairwells, classic charm, and other characteristics, these apartments may intrigue you. Discover what a walk-up apartment is and what makes it special to see whether it could be the perfect fit for your next home.
- What is a walk-up apartment?
- Top cities where walk-up apartments are most popular
- How much does a walk-up apartment cost?
- Why should you live in a walk-up apartment?
- How to find a walk-up apartment
What Is a Walk-Up Apartment?
A walk-up apartment is a building that doesn’t have an elevator, so the only means of going up and down are stairs. Most walk-up buildings are two to six stories, so renters may have to climb several floors to get to their apartments. There also aren’t as many units compared to high-rises or modern apartment communities.
The term often brings to mind traditional brick buildings with wooden staircases and plenty of that historic city vibe. Frequently found in older neighborhoods in big cities, walk-up apartments tell stories about the history of an area.
Walk-up apartment characteristics
Walk-up apartments are known for a lack of elevator and an abundance of stairs, but they also have a certain charm that comes from their other features like:
- Crown molding
- Ceiling medallions
- Tall double-hung windows or bay windows
- Exposed brick
- Thin corridors and hallways
- Trim around doorways
- Baseboard molding
- Hardwood floors
- Fireplaces
Top Cities Where Walk-Up Apartments Are Most Popular
Popular in big cities that are older, walk-up apartments are common in metropolises like Chicago, Boston, and New York. New York is a hotspot for unique apartment types, including walk-up apartments; there are many walk-ups in Chinatown, Park Slope, East Village, and Hell’s Kitchen. With how expensive housing in New York can get, walk-up apartments are highly desired because of their more affordable price. Even though they may be a bit older, many love the benefits of a walk-up so much that they’ll deal with lots of stairs.
How Much Does a Walk-Up Apartment Cost?
How much you will pay for rent can vary quite a bit when it comes to walk-up apartments. Since living in a big city can be expensive, many renters turn to walk-up apartments for a more affordable option. They can put you right in the middle of the action without having to pay an exorbitant rent. While they are generally considered less expensive, they can get quite pricey depending on location, layout, amenities, and renovations.
Walk-up apartments in NYC can range anywhere from well below the average rent in New York to two or three times higher. Neighborhoods with lots of walk-ups offer many options, from an affordable $2,500 for a studio to an expansive, multi-bedroom apartment at $11,000. The more expensive options may seem way out of your budget but splitting it with a roommate or two makes it much more reasonable.
Why Should You Live in a Walk-Up Apartment?
If you are trying to decide whether a walk-up apartment is the right choice, consider the pros and cons of walk-up apartments — it all depends on your lifestyle and priorities. For many people, a walk-up apartment is the perfect home because its advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Think about your must-haves and deal breakers to see if you should live in a walk-up apartment.
Advantages of walk-up apartments
- Affordability: most of the time, walk-up apartments are more affordable because they lack the convenience of an elevator, a doorman, or other amenities. They are also often located in older buildings, which can be cheaper.
- Daily exercise: walking up and down stairs daily is a great way to get your steps in and your heart beating. Depending on what floor you live on, you may have to climb up several stories. Your arms will get a good workout if you are carrying anything like a bike or backpack!
- Charm: walk-up apartments are often in older buildings, giving them a vintage charm. With exposed brick, ceiling medallions, crown molding, and tall double-hung windows, walk-up apartments have unique architectural details not found in new construction.
- Fully furnished options: plenty of walk-up apartments come fully furnished, so you don’t have to worry about moving furniture. If you are staying for a short period of time or simply don’t want to deal with your own furniture, then a fully furnished walk-up could be a great option.
- Variety of layouts: there are many walk-up apartments, so you can find the one that best fits your needs. Whether you are looking for an affordable studio or a large, multi-bedroom apartment, you can find a matching walk-up.
- Good location: with walk-ups everywhere in big cities, there is a high chance that you can find one near wherever you want to be. Sometimes, they are above businesses, such as restaurants or cafes, so all you have to do is walk down a few flights of stairs for good food.
- Community: walk-up apartments are great for those seeking community or privacy. Since there are fewer units in the buildings, getting acquainted with your neighbors and creating strong connections and friendships is easier. On the other hand, if privacy is your top priority, then fewer neighbors mean you can keep to yourself.
Disadvantages of walk-up apartments
- Stairs: you will have to climb a lot of stairs, and while this may be a positive for some people, others get sick of it quickly. Be prepared for having to walk up and down every day, even multiple times a day.
- Lack of convenience: doing daily tasks like grocery shopping or taking your bike out can be more difficult because you have to carry them up and down the stairs. Don’t forget anything in your apartment because you’ll have to climb all the way back up to retrieve it. Deliveries also might not come directly to your door; it depends on the situation in your building.
- Less amenities: walk-up apartment buildings are compact which means there is no room for added amenities like a gym. While some buildings have been renovated and amenities are added, they have pricier rent.
- Older buildings: many walk-ups are in older buildings, even pre-war buildings, so they might not be right if you are looking for a modern place. Be ready to deal with the intricacies of an older home, like creaky wood floors or thin walls. The included amenities might be older as well considering how long the place has been around.
- Smaller apartments: if you live in a walk-up apartment, your square footage might not be as expansive as more expensive options. You can still fit all you need, but it will be more compact.
How to Find a Walk-Up Apartment
For New Yorkers, finding a walk-up apartment on Apartments.com is easy. With a dedicated filter, you can instantly see all the New York walk-up apartments. To do so, open the filters menu; on desktop, hit the “all filters” button, and on mobile, tap the “filter & sort” button. From then on, the steps will be similar regardless of what device you are using. Scroll down to “home styles” and select the “walk-up” button to filter properties to walk-up apartments only. If you are in another city, then scroll down to the keyword filter and input “walk-up.” It will find all apartments that contain that keyword.
FAQs
How do you style a walk-up apartment?
Walk-up apartments can be small, but there are ways to decorate your space to make it feel bigger. Choosing low-profile, smaller furniture makes it fit your apartment, so it doesn’t seem like you are cramming large pieces in. Keep it minimal; don’t add furniture you don’t need, as it can make your space seem cramped and cluttered. Many furniture pieces have multiple uses or are designed for small spaces that can help you make your home feel roomier.
How can I minimize noise in a walk-up apartment?
As many walk-up apartments are in older buildings, you may be worried about making too much noise. Some noise comes with age, like creaky wood floors, but there are a couple of steps you can take to minimize your noise. Put up fabrics like curtains on your windows, hang tapestries on your walls, and put down carpets in the rooms. These should absorb and dampen sound. If you have loud neighbors, you can ask them to tone it down.
How do deliveries work for walk-up apartments?
It depends on the company, service, and your building, but most packages are left in the lobby or main entrance. Some do come to your door, again, it depends on the company. Most companies will charge extra for large deliveries to bring it up to your apartment. It is worth paying the money if you can’t lug it up yourself or with others. That is not always the case, as some companies include delivery to your apartment.
Are walk-up apartments pet-friendly?
It depends on the apartment community. Some allow pets as long as you pay additional fees like a pet deposit and pet rent. Others have strict no pet policies that you must adhere to. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly apartment, make sure to use Apartments.com’s pet filters to see what is available.
