Dealing with noise from neighbours

[Rose65]

We cannot choose our neighbours, but our homes are usually our castles, where we should feel most comfortable.
A friend lives between two neighbours who are both very noisy in different ways. She seems very philosophical about it though, saying she's used to it and it helps she is partially deaf! After 50 years she cannot face moving. She says people will live their lives in their own way and rarely change.

What practical long term ways are there to cope with this? I mean still keeping a good relationship with the neighbours, but taking steps personally - such as headphones, earplugs. I think complaining and reporting people surely ought to be avoided, making enemies could very well worsen everything.

 

[Pepper]

Being a good neighbor requires ignoring a lot of things. That's what living close together does. We must learn to look beyond a lot, unless, of course, what they are doing is dangerous or after/before day & evening hours.

Basically, I've lived in apartments most of my life. I'm used to ignoring the habits of others.

 

[katlupe]

After having lived in houses most of my life, six years ago I moved into a city apartment. I have apartments on both sides of me and on top and underneath me. Basically the people who live here are elderly and/or disabled so for the most part are quiet. I can hear the dog upstairs when he chews on bones but the sound does not bother me.

There used to be a lady who lived across the hall that would get up at 3 or 4 in the morning and turn her television on loud and leave her door wide open. Sometimes she would even vacuum her apartment and the hall outside of it. She was 95 and I loved her so I did not let it bother me. Like pepper said, you get used to it.

 

[MrPants]

Retaliating against people who have no consideration for others to begin with never turns out well. You'll only make things worse for yourself in the end. If you're in a house, having goof quality windows can reduce noise from outside. That's about all I got.

 

[Rose65]

Indeed, I've had minor neighbour disputes in the past, when I didn't know better. I am now aware things always deteriorate if you go round and complain. It becomes a real battle then.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I moved into the sticks, after living in apartments. Now, I notice the siding on the house, contracting at night. So, it depends on the level of noise your friend gets, and what she's used to. People are not quiet critters; they do make a fair amount of noise. But there is a difference between that and someone belting out opera at 3 AM.

 

[VaughanJB]

My neighbor is a rock drummer. He has a full kit set up in his living room. I don't let any sounds bother me because he's a great guy, he and I have coffee every now and again and shoot the breeze.

That said, I know I make noise. Music is my main thing, and I'll be honest and say that I'm not averse to playing music at midnight or the early hours. I do however reduce the volume.

Outside the front of my home is a large grassy area with some trees, and kids love to play there when the sun is out. Kids from, I don't know, 5 years old through 12 or so, I'd guess. Boy, they're noisy. The girls have piercing screams, the boys too.

I guess their noise could bother some, but for me it simply reminds me that life goes on, and there are these kids with their entire lives before them. Perhaps one of them will become a world leader, a rock star, a scientist. Who knows? They're just having fun, finding out what it's like to run around, play ball, or whatever it is they're doing.

And I have my dog. He barks if someone gets near the front door, but I shhh him. I don't like him barking in case it bothers others.

 

[debodun]

A lawyer told me once that everyone is entitled to "the peaceable enjoyment of their home." If noise is a problem in your neighborhood, see what the local ordinance is, if there is one, regarding noise. Here, people can't disturb the peace or operate loud machinery (like a lawn mower or power saw) between midnight and 7am, nor can they allow their dogs to bark more than 10 minutes if unattended. However, good luck trying to get a deputy or trooper to respond late at night or on the weekend.

 

[jujube]

On the far side of the neighborhood from us, there is apparently a family that delights in annoying their neighbors with their noisy lifestyle. I've read several accounts on the neighborhood Facebook page about various tiffs with the neighbors. Once, after a complaint, the father sent his kids out into the yard with the instruction to scream at the top of their lungs as long as they could (the instructions were heard by a neighbor). I guess there has to be "one" in every neighborhood.

Luckily, we can't hear them over here. Our street tends to be quiet as death.

 

[January]

seems like your friend has the right approach to this

 

[Teacher Terry]

My condo complex is very quiet. Probably 3/4 ths of the owners are seniors. Most of the younger people are also delightful. Plus although built in 1978 it was built well so noise doesn’t travel.

 

[Rose65]

My neighbor is a rock drummer. He has a full kit set up in his living room. I don't let any sounds bother me because he's a great guy, he and I have coffee every now and again and shoot the breeze.

That said, I know I make noise. Music is my main thing, and I'll be honest and say that I'm not averse to playing music at midnight or the early hours. I do however reduce the volume.

Outside the front of my home is a large grassy area with some trees, and kids love to play there when the sun is out. Kids from, I don't know, 5 years old through 12 or so, I'd guess. Boy, they're noisy. The girls have piercing screams, the boys too.

I guess their noise could bother some, but for me it simply reminds me that life goes on, and there are these kids with their entire lives before them. Perhaps one of them will become a world leader, a rock star, a scientist. Who knows? They're just having fun, finding out what it's like to run around, play ball, or whatever it is they're doing.

And I have my dog. He barks if someone gets near the front door, but I shhh him. I don't like him barking in case it bothers others.

That's a balanced honest view. I like your perspective.

 

[George1959]

Noise is the reason I'd always prefer a 55+ community. But we don't have many in Germany. The one my wife and me looked at, is half a million bucks for a small house and the piece of property, which is including the house only 3864 square feet. Way too expensive.

 

[Rossana]

This is why we live in our 55+ community. People observe the HOA rules and respect their neighbors. There is a great sense of community and it is very quiet. The HOA covers lawn service which means all lawns are cut the same day. It reduces daily noise and show an uniformity through the community as well. The parties are held at the social hall or around the pool area.
At this point in my life, I would not be able to handle unruly neighbors.