What Is a Walk-Up Apartment? Should You Rent One?

You find the perfect apartment… but wait—no elevator? Just stairs. Lots of them. For some people, that’s an automatic no. The thought of dragging groceries or a couch up four flights sounds like a workout they didn’t sign up for. Others feel that a walk-up apartment means charm, character, and saving a few hundred dollars on rent each month.

So, is a walk-up apartment the hidden gem you’ve been looking for—or a daily stair-climbing struggle? Let’s break down the good, the bad, and everything in between to help you decide if this old-school setup is right for you.

Where Are Walk-Up Apartments Common?

As property management in Washington, DC, we can tell you that You’ll often find walk-up apartments in buildings constructed before the Fair Housing Act (FHA) accessibility requirements took effect on March 13, 1991. These FHA amendments mandated that new multifamily housing incorporate features like ramps, elevators, and wider doorways. 

Most walk-up buildings were constructed before this law existed. Back then, accessibility wasn’t a legal requirement, which is why many of these buildings don’t have elevators even today. You’ll usually find walk-ups in older neighborhoods, especially in older cities with a lot of preserved architecture. 

Now, if you’re renting in a big East Coast city, chances are you’ve already come across a walk-up or two. They’re common in places where space is tight, and buildings were built up instead of out.

Here are a few examples:

• In D.C., spots like Capitol Hill and Dupont Circle are full of walk-ups.
• In Philly, you’ll see them in Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, and other rowhouse-heavy neighborhoods.
• In Northern Virginia, you’ll still find some around Old Town Alexandria and older sections of Arlington.

Are Walk-Up Apartments Cheaper?

Most of the time—yes, walk-up apartments are usually cheaper than units in buildings with elevators. That’s because they’re considered a bit less convenient because of stairs and often don’t come with extra perks like doormen, gyms, or rooftop decks.

Note: The higher the floor, the cheaper it might be. So that top-floor unit may be the most affordable, but it comes with the most stairs, too!

Pros and Cons of Walk-Up Apartments

A walk-up apartment comes with its fair share of advantages—and downsides, too. Let’s take a look at the most common ones you’re likely to encounter if you decide to rent one.

Pros of Walk-Up Apartments

More Affordable Rent: As we said earlier, walk-ups are usually cheaper than units in buildings with elevators or luxury amenities. That lower price tag can free up your budget for other priorities.

Prime Locations: Oftentimes, walk-up apartments are located in the heart of older cities. Meaning, they’re close to restaurants, parks, public transit, and all the city buzz. So, you can be right in the heart of the hustle and bustle. 

Unique Charm: Many walk-ups are in historic buildings with vintage details. Think hardwood floors, crown molding, exposed brick, and big windows. Those are part and parcel of a walk-in apartment. 

You’ll Get Some Steps In: Let’s be honest—it’s free cardio. Climbing stairs every day may not be fun, but it does keep you moving. So, you can burn more calories just by living your life. 

Cons of Walk-Up Apartments

No Elevator = Stairs Always: Groceries, laundry, moving day, rainy weather… every trip in or out means taking the stairs. It can get tiring fast, especially if you’re on a higher floor.

Less Accessible: Generally, these buildings were built before accessibility laws existed, so they often aren’t built with features like elevators. However, under fair housing laws, landlords and property managers have a responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations and allow reasonable modifications to make housing accessible to individuals with disabilities. Therefore, the lack of an elevator doesn’t automatically exclude people with disabilities from living in these buildings.

Tough if You Have a Lot of Storage: If you have a lot of storage to bring up and down, a walk-in apartment probably isn’t the best idea. After all, you could be lugging those belongings to and from your home, day in, day out.

What to Ask Before Renting a Walk-Up

This kind of preparation is a little different from the usual list of questions you might ask a landlord before signing a lease. With a walk-up apartment, it’s not just about the lease terms—it’s about whether your daily life will actually work with all those stairs. Here are some of the questions to ask:

How many flights of stairs are there?

Ask the number of stairs upfront—and picture doing it with groceries, laundry, or on a rainy day. It’ll help you figure out whether the daily climb is something you can realistically handle.

What’s the move-in process like?

Is there a service entrance? Are wide staircases available for moving furniture? Some walk-ups have tight corners and no easy way to carry a couch.

Where is the trash or laundry located?

If you have to go down three flights just to toss the trash or do laundry, that might change how convenient the space feels day-to-day. So, be sure to ask this now to avoid headaches later.

How hot does it get in the summer?

Top-floor walk-up apartments can turn into ovens in July, especially in older buildings with no central air. Trust us, we’ve been there. So, ask about insulation, AC options, or how well the unit holds up during extreme weather.

Who handles stairwell cleaning or snow removal?

In the winter, stairs and other aspects of traversing a building can become more trecherous. You don’t want to find yourself dealing with danger. So, make sure you know who’s responsible for handling snow removal in bad weather. 

How are deliveries handled?

No doorman? No lobby? Find out how packages and mail are handled, especially if you shop online often. Also, see which floor the deliveries go to, so you can see if that works for you.

Still Not Sure Which Rental is Right for You? We Can Help!

A walk-up apartment is a unit in a building without an elevator, typically found in older cities and pre-March 1991 constructions. While these apartments often offer lower rent, prime locations, and historic charm, they also come with the daily challenge of stairs, accessibility barriers (although reasonable accommodations and modifications can help offset those issues), and fewer amenities—so deciding whether to rent one depends on your lifestyle and willingness to trade convenience for affordability and character.

At the end of the day, the best apartment is the one that fits your lifestyle. If you’re weighing your options or looking for help with your next move at Bay Property Management Group, we’re here to guide you. Need help comparing rentals? Look at our listings today to get a huge variety of choices to look at.