According to Rav Nissim Karelitz, a menorah placed in a second story window must be visible to the family inside as well as to the street. Care should be taken not to obstruct the view of the menorah with curtains, shutters, etc. for the required half hour. According to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, it is not important that the candles be visible to the household but they must be visible to those on the street. If a dining room window barely overlooks the street but a bedroom window does, it is preferable to place the menorah in the bedroom window according to Rav Nissim Karelitz. The menorah should not be placed in a bathroom window. According to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, if there is a ledge outside the bathroom, the menorah can be put there. (The beracha must be recited in a proper place.) Rav Nissim Karelitz holds that the menorah should not be put there. According to many contemporary poskim, a mirpeset/balcony (that is not covered with a roof and has no direct access to the street) can be considered a window and the menorah can be placed on its railing. If the menorah can be placed at the door to the porch and still be viewed from the street, it is proper to put the menorah by the door. According to Rav Elyashiv, however, a porch without proper walls or roof is not considered part of the house and the menorah cannot be placed on the railing. A ground floor attached porch that is used for household needs can be considered a chotzer even according to the Chazon Ish (who holds that modern yards do not generally have the status of a chotzer), and the menorah can be placed at the entrance that faces the street.