>with the window facing back open just a crack That's your problem right there. I figure if I opened the window on the opposite side of the house and there wer

>with the window facing back open just a crack That's your problem right there. I figure if I opened the window on the opposite side of the house and there were no wind, birds and insects I could easily hear traffic too. The difference between this and having people behind your wall, floor and ceiling is that you can close the window whenever you want. You cannot do much with the neighbors.