How To Find High-Ceiling Apartments? 12 Things To Look For

There are several ways to find apartments with high ceilings, including doing a Google search, filtering for lofts or new buildings, and checking out older buildings with historical significance.

Prioritizing the top floor can also lead to vaulted ceilings.

Once you find a potential apartment, you can contact the landlord or property manager, schedule a tour, and prepare for the potentially higher cost of rent and utility bills!

Let’s look at how to find and acquire your dream apartment with high ceilings!

1. Start With a Google Search

The last time I searched for an apartment, I used Google.

You can find results from different apartment listing websites and websites for specific apartment complexes or buildings.

But the nice thing about Google is that you can search for apartments with the desired features. For example, you may search for “high ceiling apartments [your city]” to find local results.

Use the name of the city where you currently live or where you want to move to. Then, you may find a few results based on those specifications.

When doing a general search for apartments with high ceilings, I found one apartment that mentioned the feature in the description.

2. Filter for a Loft

Another great way to narrow your search is to focus on lofts rather than traditional apartments. Lofts almost always have a higher ceiling than your typical unit.

Some may not be much higher, so you’ll want to research before signing a lease. However, it can be a good way to filter out apartments that won’t suit you.

You can check different apartment listing sites and go through their filters. For example, Apartments.com offers a “loft” filter that you can select if any lofts are listed in your area.

3. Look for New Buildings

When searching for an apartment, check the year the complex or building was built. Apartments from 1995 and later are likelier to have higher ceilings than older buildings.

Some newer apartments will have standard ceilings, so you can’t guarantee this will work. It’s another easy way to narrow your search while getting the desired ceiling height.

You can search for new builds in your city to be the first to live in a unit. However, an apartment that’s 20 years old can still be a great choice and give you all the features you prefer.

Don’t be afraid to confirm with the landlord that the building has higher ceilings.

4. Consider Older Buildings

On the other hand, you may want to look for really old apartments. Many cities have historical buildings that were initially warehouses or schools but are now apartment buildings.

If that’s the case, there’s a decent chance you can move into an apartment with a high ceiling. Look for buildings that were constructed before the 1940s, if possible.

Of course, these buildings may not feature high ceilings anymore. If a construction company demolished the inside, they might have changed the ceiling heights.

Still, it’s worth a try, and you can live in a building that’s part of the local history.

5. Prioritize the Top Floor

In some apartment buildings, the ceiling height will be the same across all levels. However, looking for top-floor units opens you up to vaulted ceilings.

They aren’t as common in apartments as in houses, so you’ll need to search for a unit with this feature. A vaulted ceiling can be a great alternative to a standard ceiling that’s higher than average.

You can use Google as you did before and search for “vaulted ceiling apartments [your city].” Then, you can find local results with a unique design.

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6. Research Some Options

Once you figure out what you want, you should conduct a detailed apartment search. You can do so online or drive around town to find buildings with openings.

Online is more convenient because you can find listings and visit complexes’ websites that interest you. Then, you’ll see a list of amenities and features, such as high ceilings.

Many apartment listings include photos as well. So even if the description doesn’t mention the height of the ceilings, the pictures might showcase higher ceilings.

Depending on the angle and lighting, you’ll want to take those photos with a grain of salt.

7. Contact a Landlord

If you find an apartment that interests you, contact the landlord or property manager. You should be able to call or send an email, so do what works for you.

After you mention that you like their apartments, ask about the ceiling height. The landlord should be able to tell you how tall they are.

If not, they should be able to go into the unit or a similar one and take a measurement. That can help you ensure you only tour or sign a lease for an apartment with a high ceiling.

8. Take a Tour

Pictures can be a great resource to help you decide if you want to live somewhere. I’d highly recommend scheduling a tour of the apartment to check it out for yourself.

That way, you can verify the height of the ceiling with your tape measure. You’ll also be able to view the other features of the unit and the community as a whole.

If something doesn’t feel right, move on to another apartment. Otherwise, you can ask about signing a lease and moving into the next available unit in the building.

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9. Prepare Your Wallet

Unfortunately, apartments with high ceilings can also have a high price tag.

If you’re set on renting one of these units, prepare to pay more than you’d pay for a similar unit.

The landlord may charge higher rent, especially if there’s a lot of demand for such units in your city. However, you may also face a higher utility bill.

Your floor plan may not be large, but you’ll have to pay to heat the extra space during the winter. Since heat rises, you may have to crank up the heat, even more to keep the area near the floor from getting too cold.

10. Shop Around

You might luck out and find your dream apartment the first time you look. Don’t rush into the lease unless you know it’s a good fit for you.

If possible, check out at least a few different units and complexes. That way, you can consider other preferences, such as whether you have a ground-floor or top-floor apartment.

Or maybe you prefer to live in a particular part of town. List all your nonnegotiable factors, including ceiling height, and remember everything when touring a place.

11. Start Shopping Early

I’d also recommend giving yourself a few months to shop for apartments before moving in.

So consider when your current lease ends, and start the search three or four months ahead.

You can start apartment hunting whenever you want to sell a house. Don’t expect to find a perfect place within the next few weeks unless you have amazing luck.

Starting early will give you ample time to look at a few units, compare options, and adjust your budget.

Plus, you won’t be as tempted to settle since you have time to find the perfect apartment.

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12. Know When to Compromise

For better or worse, you may not get every feature or amenity you want.

If you’re set on an apartment with high ceilings, you might be unable to live in the neighborhood you want, for example.

Consider what you’re willing to let go of and what you need in your next apartment. Then, you’ll know when to compromise if you find an apartment that works but isn’t perfect.

If you’re sharing the apartment with a partner or other roommates, talk to them about this. That way, everyone is on the same page, and you can find an apartment you’ll all love.