Another factor that has not been mentioned is tree foliage or time-of-year.

A 12 foot ladder stand with some background limbs/leaves will be fine in Sept (or before the leaves drop). The same stand in December with nothing but a few bare twigs for cover/concealment will not work.

One of my best stands is only 18' from the ground but it is perfectly blended into a Magnolia tree - which keeps its leaves year round. Cedar trees are great too.