jmlong's Profile

Downstairs dweller here. I've posted on AT about this subject and asking for help before and there really isn't much you can do about noise in a condo or apartment.
Our dining room is right below the master bedroom and it's made for some interesting meal conversations at all times of the day. In the evening or at night, he tries to mask the sounds by playing the stereo but it better serves as an alert for us to move to another room for the next hour or so. I can hear him talking on his phone, and he knows this, so he takes some of his calls out on the porch.
I bought a desk and changed our sunroom/reading room into an office and stopped using the dining room table as a study/work area. It's helped except that it is under their dining room, so when they have guests over, I move back into the dining room. Thank goodness for a laptop!
They drop stuff constantly in the kitchen and it makes you wonder. Pots, pans, plates, glasses, frozen food from out of the fridge, etc. The garbage disposal is really loud too. What can you do though? Make them eat microwave meals?
The roommate's bedroom is right above our master bedroom. I've offered to purchase him a rug, pad, and new less squeaky bed but he hasn't taken me up on the offer. He's been kind enough to not play Call of Duty past 10:00 pm during the weekdays and that helps. He's a good guy and much, much quieter than the previous roommate who would come home drunk each night to stumble and fall about the bedroom then throw his keys and contents of his pockets on the floor. The roommate's bathroom is right above our closet and we can hear everything he does in there. Everything. When he runs the jacuzzi tub it sounds like something is going to come through the ceiling due to the noise and vibration.
They have a friend with a dog and child and who comes over and the clip, clip, clip of the dogs toenails on the floor is annoying when I'm studying or working. It's a hyper dog and runs constantly from each end of the unit. I can only hear the child when he first arrives or when he gets excited about something. It's not constant and he doesn't run inside although, he plays with his cars in the halls. Again, annoying but not so bad. I can hear the TV and sports cheering type stuff but it's not constant or obnxious. When it becomes a distraction I turn on our stereo and set the volume accordingly or I leave the house.
On the other side of the argument, I don't feel any guilt when my daughter plays her electric guitar and has the amp to set high. I don't feel any guilt turning our music up loud or having parties of our own.
We own our place and so do they so there isn't much we can do. All of the floors are wood and they're in compliance with the association regarding rugs. The building is a gut rehab so the only thing I can think of is that the builder skimped on construction materials. It's interesting that we don't hear their dishwasher, washer and dryer, or master bathroom noise.
New renters just moved in to the apartment across the hall and I know when they've left for work because the dog barks and cries until they return. It makes for a very long day. I'll bring it to their attention, but chances are I'll deal with it or I'll start leaving the house during the day to study or work until they move out. At least I don't live next to the El tracks.
Sorry for the long comment - I guess the point is that condo or apartment living has it's good things and it's bad things. If noise is a big issue, whether you're the one making it or suffering through it, then maybe condo or apartment living is not for you.

10 years ago I bought a pretty black and white espresso set at a flea market in Pisa, Italy for about the equivalent of $25 USD. I was eBaying one day and discovered the same set for auction with a high bid of $800. I took some pics and listed mine for $1200 using Buy It Now. It sold about 20 minutes later. I used the money to take another trip to Italy and was hoping to do the lather, rinse, repeat thing but had no such luck. If you ever find a complete set of illy signed, dated and numbered Spirali espresso cups and matching saucers buy them. I've heard that if I had held on to them they would be worth about $2500 now.
My example was just dumb luck. I'm in awe of all of you who find something and know what it is and what the real worth might be when you do. Great job everyone!

I hope it's OK to piggieback on this question.
We live on the bottom floor and it's our upstairs neighbors who make crazy noise. We have heavy curtains and a white noise machine but it hasn't helped.
We've talked to them about it and their excuse was a very apologetic "We're Braziiiiiilian" and then offered us some food. Which was nice but didn't change their attitude towards parties and our reaction to it.
They celebrated Thanksgiving last night (why???) until about 2:00am. All night long laughter and high heels on the wood floors. At least they turned the music off at 10:00.
We own our unit so are there any options for us? Please don't say popcorn ceilings.
FYI... we used to blast Einstürzende Neubauten at 6:00 am but they slept right through it. They say we don't make any noise at all.
Thank you!