The real estate market is a booming industry. It is easily one of the most lucrative industries around the globe. With an industry flourishing like the real estate market, advancements and innovations are only a matter of time. The real estate market has seen the introduction of apartments, condominiums and studio apartments. One of the remarkable additions to the real estate industry is the introduction of penthouses. Living in a penthouse may be heavy on the pocket but it is worth the while for people who can afford it.
We have compiled a list of the pros and cons of living in a penthouse to help decide if it’s a viable option for you.
What is a Penthouse?
Penthouses are among the most sought-after types of properties in the UAE. Traditionally located on the top of a hotel, condominium, or apartment building, a penthouse is a symbol of luxurious living.
A penthouse comes with extra space and added amenities such as luxury flooring, contemporary design and breathtaking views. Some penthouses even have built-in swimming pools or saunas – everything required for luxury living.
Many penthouses have restricted access with a separate elevator. Furthermore, penthouse residents are given access to the services offered by the building or hotel. Living in a penthouse is not similar to traditional living because of the many perks that follow.
Advantages of Living in a Penthouse
If you are thinking about moving to a penthouse for rent in the UAE, there are several perks that come with it. Listed below are the major benefits of living in a penthouse:
BREATHTAKING VIEWS
A place with memorable views is intriguing to residents and visitors alike. The UAE, for instance, with futuristic cities like Dubai among others is no short of breathtaking views and landscapes.
When living in a penthouse, you can enjoy the city views from the top of your place of residence.
Additionally, many studio apartments are equipped with large transparent windows – from floor to ceiling. This makes room for natural light to further enhance the place. You can also use the home lighting design ideas to lighten up the penthouse for the late hours.
Furthermore, you have the luxury to enjoy the picturesque sunrise and sunset from the comfort of your place every day.
PEACEFUL LIVING AND PRIVACY
As penthouses are larger than regular apartments, a whole floor is dedicated to them in most cases. This provides a great deal of privacy to the residents. You have the whole floor to yourself and there are no sounds to worry about from next-door neighbours.
Similarly, penthouses keep the city noise away. Honking cars, rallies or festival celebrations can be distracting for people. Penthouses, located at the topmost floor, are somewhat prone to these distractions – acting as your personal oasis.
ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR SPACE
The luxuries of a penthouse aren’t limited to views. Another major advantage of living in a penthouse is the additional outdoor space you get. Many penthouses come with added luxuries like a sauna or swimming pool.
Additionally, the extra balcony space in penthouses can also be used for building a home garden or a family sitting area. You can also check out the balcony decoration ideas to transform the additional space in your penthouse.
PRIME LOCATION
Living in a penthouse is no short of a luxury and it is only befitting for a place of this stature to be located at a prime location. Most penthouses are located in the prime location of a city – making them more intriguing for buyers.
Prime locations have easy access to malls, transportation and other facilities within the city. An ideal location is also one of the main considerations on the home-buying checklist.
SECURITY
Another major advantage of living in a penthouse is enhanced security. Camera surveillance, armed security and gated entrances all contribute to the added security in a penthouse.
Furthermore, many penthouses have separate lifts for access to the top floor. This diminishes the chances of an unauthorised person entering your place.
Disadvantages of Living in a Penthouse
The pros of living in a penthouse can be intriguing but you should consider the cons too before sealing the deal. Let’s now go through the disadvantages of living in a penthouse which are listed below:
HEFTY PRICE
One of the major cons of living in a penthouse is the hefty price tags that follow. Luxury living comes at a cost and with all the amenities a penthouse offers, you cannot find one at a lower price.
A rental apartment in the UAE will have a lower cost compared to a rental penthouse. Penthouses in general can be a viable option for people of privilege.
DECORATION DILEMMAS
The extra space in penthouses can be a double-edged sword. While you can make use of the additional space as per your liking, decorations can be a tough nut to crack. It is rather easy to execute the feature wall design ideas or other similar plans in an apartment as compared to a penthouse.
Penthouses usually have floor-to-ceiling windows and the excess natural light can be an obstacle for decoration. Placing the television and portraits on the wall can be a tough task because lighting can affect the overall appearance.
Additionally, a large place would require more decoration pieces which means additional expenses.
EASILY AFFECTED BY WEATHER
Another major con of residing in a penthouse is the property’s exposure to different climatic conditions. While the amenities can be a treat on a sunny day, they can easily be affected during rainy seasons.
The large windows and open spaces can make way for rain or sandstorms. Additionally, high altitude also accounts for more severity of the weather conditions. This could lead to more air conditioner usage and is one of the causes of high electricity bills.
HIGH MAINTENANCE COSTS
Luxury living is not light on the pocket. Besides the purchasing or rental price, some other expenses follow when you opt to live in a penthouse. The large space isn’t the easiest to clean and this could increase your maintenance bill.
Additionally, the separate lifts for penthouses are also prone to damage. Being the only access point to the penthouse, lift maintenance can force you to stay put for some time.
The other alternative might be to take the long stairs which can be a hassle. Coming down from all the way up to the top floor isn’t an easy task.
Furthermore, for any sort of work on the building roof, the maintenance workers might have to use the penthouse lifts which can be a distraction for the residents.
These were the advantages and disadvantages of living in a penthouse. Luxury living can be intriguing for many reasons but it comes at a cost. People who can afford a lavish lifestyle can make use of all the facilities offered by penthouses. For people with limited resources, there are plenty of affordable living options in the UAE.
That said, the comparison between penthouses vs apartments can give you a clear idea about the two types of housing. If the idea of living in a penthouse sounds like the ideal thing for you, check out the penthouses for sale in the UAE and have your pick.
For people looking for affordable housing options, browse through these apartments for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top property blog for pros and cons of different property types and more.
