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Noise is such a huge factor. I don't really care about having a yard or access to a garden, and for an apartment in a walkable neighborhood I would even be hap

Noise is such a huge factor. I don't really care about having a yard or access to a garden, and for an apartment in a walkable neighborhood I would even be happy to give up parking. Unfortunately my spouse and I are looking at buying a house, which is much more expensive, less environmentally sound, and more inconvenient in nearly every way because it's essentially impossible to find shared living spaces with anything approaching sensible levels of sound isolation. I have sensory issues specifically around low frequencies, and I've never been able to comfortably live in a shared building without having to wear active noise canceling headphones nearly 100% of the time because other people in my building must listen to bass heavy music or buy large subwoofers for their televisions, and the low frequencies travel too easily through shared walls and floors/ceilings.

scarejunba 7y ago
I've constantly encountered this problem in American buildings made of wood. No one puts that sandwiched layer of sound insulation in. In the UK, on the other hand, thick stone/concrete/brick where I lived and if I shut the windows I could barely hear anything. Quiet as a mouse. Never actually heard the neighbours.
- AngryData 7y ago
  There are fairly simple ways to noise cancel very well with wood structures, the problem is nobody wants to pay to do it. Double drywalled walls, internally separated walls, internal insulation, better doors and windows,etc. And it usually is still cheaper than stonework, but it also still increases construction costs. People always, always, ALWAYS, try to skimp on construction costs, even when they are already getting a fantastic deal or something far superior is only like a few cents more. People will take a 50% reduction in construction quality, longevity, and finish if it will save them 10%. Even if it ultimately only accounts for a few months worth of profit, even if it will ultimately cost them more in maintenance, even if it makes energy costs twice as high.
- pkaye 7y ago
  There is plenty of technology to do this. Well known brands like Rockwool or Quietrock. Its less labor intensive and probably better for earthquake country like California. But they do cost a little extra and many people are still not willing to pay the extra cost during house construction.
imtringued 7y ago
Noise is such a small problem that I often forget that other people are living in the same building. Maybe it's a problem inherent with drywall because sound proofing requires an additional filler which costs money. I have always lived in buildings that use plaster.

scarejunba 7y ago

I've constantly encountered this problem in American buildings made of wood. No one puts that sandwiched layer of sound insulation in. In the UK, on the other hand, thick stone/concrete/brick where I lived and if I shut the windows I could barely hear anything. Quiet as a mouse. Never actually heard the neighbours.

AngryData 7y ago
There are fairly simple ways to noise cancel very well with wood structures, the problem is nobody wants to pay to do it. Double drywalled walls, internally separated walls, internal insulation, better doors and windows,etc. And it usually is still cheaper than stonework, but it also still increases construction costs. People always, always, ALWAYS, try to skimp on construction costs, even when they are already getting a fantastic deal or something far superior is only like a few cents more. People will take a 50% reduction in construction quality, longevity, and finish if it will save them 10%. Even if it ultimately only accounts for a few months worth of profit, even if it will ultimately cost them more in maintenance, even if it makes energy costs twice as high.
pkaye 7y ago
There is plenty of technology to do this. Well known brands like Rockwool or Quietrock. Its less labor intensive and probably better for earthquake country like California. But they do cost a little extra and many people are still not willing to pay the extra cost during house construction.

imtringued 7y ago

Noise is such a small problem that I often forget that other people are living in the same building. Maybe it's a problem inherent with drywall because sound proofing requires an additional filler which costs money. I have always lived in buildings that use plaster.