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Counterpoint: If you've ever really been burned by having a crappy neighbor -- or a string of them -- you may be inclined to get as far away as possible. I'm s

Counterpoint: If you've ever really been burned by having a crappy neighbor -- or a string of them -- you may be inclined to get as far away as possible. I'm sensitive to noise, and I ended up not with average neighbors but with extremely noisy ones, on multiple occasions. (On one occasion, inescapable even when I was across the street and down two houses.) I'd like a greater sense of community, but I never want to go through that, again. I don't know whether manners have changed, or more people are sensitive to noise (some aspect of the autistic spectrum or the like?). Regardless, for me, higher density living will only become attractive with improvements in soundproofing of such units and/or better control of noisy behavior. (Come to think of it, people didn't used to have such absurd stereos and televisions producing such absurd levels of bass, either -- on average. Not that that is the only problem with noise, these days.) P.S. I'll add that the sound of kids playing and the like doesn't bother me, in reasonable measure. The situations I encountered went FAR beyond that. Sociologists/anthropologists and urban planners need to broaden their perspective with regard to this, in my opinion, when considering contemporary U.S. environments and their like. Further, I can add that I have made upwards of 10 good friends in the last decade. Not neighbors -- although I am friendly with several of them -- but people who, while differing in details and some beliefs and opinions, are kind and respectful. So... is it that we don't have "casual interactions" near our homes? Or, is something else going on? Probably some of each. Again, if you want to promote higher density living, amongst other things ameliorate the noise issues. Better sound-proofing. Effective ordinances.

PhantomGremlin 11y ago
I ended up not with average neighbors but with extremely noisy ones It might not even be the neighbor himself, it could be his dog. A dog that barks constantly, for little or no reason, at all odd hours. Or, something that happened to me, a neighbor with a rooster. A rooster that loved to start crowing at about 4 or 5 AM!
kenesom1 11y ago
Sadly the housing situation in most metropolitan areas is an assault on all the senses. Housing right next to highways, no sound insulation between units, damp buildings infested with mold, inadequate ventilation, overflowing trash bins. A lot of it is down to the short-term objectives of most property development projects, management companies who are unwilling to properly maintain buildings, and shoddy building standards in the US - flimsy materials, stick-built buildings instead of concrete, etc. The housing stock is in terrible shape and current policy encourages the development of disposable buildings that are barely livable. Poor noise control in building designs results in: Everyone's Upstairs Neighbors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IRB0sxw-YU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IRB0sxw-YU
soylentcola 11y ago
I personally love urban life for the most part. I grew up in the "boonies" and I sometimes think that childhood/teenage boredom due to not having many things to do or other young people nearby influenced my feelings on the matter. But the one thing that makes me consider moving to a more rural setting is the fact that I sometimes want to make noise (playing instruments, etc) but there aren't as many opportunities when I live in a townhouse. I mostly just compromise by playing at lower volumes (less fun when it comes to playing guitar or whatever), playing through headphones (again, less fun because lower volume or using headphones doesn't give the satisfaction of how a guitar or bass sounds through a proper amp at "rock and roll" volumes). Still, I'm not a total asshole so I limit my volumes and I only play during hours when it's much less likely that anyone nearby would be sleeping. I also keep that stuff in the basement so it doesn't "leak" out as much that way. If I had the money to just buy an old warehouse or a property in a remote location for playing music or watching movies on a projection screen with theater-volume speakers, I'd do it in a heartbeat but that's just a pipe dream. I don't have the funds to purchase or rent access to such a space. So for now, the solution is to play music quieter/at more "decent" hours and keep the theater experience restricted to outdoor movies at a friend's house in the country during the summer. For these sorts of activities that go hand in hand with loud volume, you really are more limited in the city. It's not enough to make me give up short commutes and walking/taxi access to bars, restaurants, and arts/entertainment venues but it's definitely a consideration.

PhantomGremlin 11y ago

I ended up not with average neighbors but with extremely noisy ones It might not even be the neighbor himself, it could be his dog. A dog that barks constantly, for little or no reason, at all odd hours. Or, something that happened to me, a neighbor with a rooster. A rooster that loved to start crowing at about 4 or 5 AM!

kenesom1 11y ago

Sadly the housing situation in most metropolitan areas is an assault on all the senses. Housing right next to highways, no sound insulation between units, damp buildings infested with mold, inadequate ventilation, overflowing trash bins. A lot of it is down to the short-term objectives of most property development projects, management companies who are unwilling to properly maintain buildings, and shoddy building standards in the US - flimsy materials, stick-built buildings instead of concrete, etc. The housing stock is in terrible shape and current policy encourages the development of disposable buildings that are barely livable. Poor noise control in building designs results in: Everyone's Upstairs Neighbors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IRB0sxw-YU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IRB0sxw-YU

soylentcola 11y ago

I personally love urban life for the most part. I grew up in the "boonies" and I sometimes think that childhood/teenage boredom due to not having many things to do or other young people nearby influenced my feelings on the matter. But the one thing that makes me consider moving to a more rural setting is the fact that I sometimes want to make noise (playing instruments, etc) but there aren't as many opportunities when I live in a townhouse. I mostly just compromise by playing at lower volumes (less fun when it comes to playing guitar or whatever), playing through headphones (again, less fun because lower volume or using headphones doesn't give the satisfaction of how a guitar or bass sounds through a proper amp at "rock and roll" volumes). Still, I'm not a total asshole so I limit my volumes and I only play during hours when it's much less likely that anyone nearby would be sleeping. I also keep that stuff in the basement so it doesn't "leak" out as much that way. If I had the money to just buy an old warehouse or a property in a remote location for playing music or watching movies on a projection screen with theater-volume speakers, I'd do it in a heartbeat but that's just a pipe dream. I don't have the funds to purchase or rent access to such a space. So for now, the solution is to play music quieter/at more "decent" hours and keep the theater experience restricted to outdoor movies at a friend's house in the country during the summer. For these sorts of activities that go hand in hand with loud volume, you really are more limited in the city. It's not enough to make me give up short commutes and walking/taxi access to bars, restaurants, and arts/entertainment venues but it's definitely a consideration.