2 a.m., wide awake, listenin' to my n... - Anxiety and Depre...

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2 a.m., wide awake, listenin' to my neighbors

34 Replies

Outside of just living and sleeping in my home, I also work here, so I can't really escape my neighbors.

The couple upstairs has a child that stomps and screams all day and a dog with separation anxiety who cries extremely loud when they leave. The worst part is that they have a SUPER creaky bed, and when they, eh hum, y'know, it's like I'm in the room with them! I don't expect them to stop - just get a new bed...

My neighbor to my left is an insane ponytail bro who keeps passive aggressively harassing me through the walls with noise. He does it literally every hour of every day. Even if I hated someone, I couldn't commit that much time!

And the guy to my right is quite possibly the most obnoxious person that I've ever met in my life. He flicks his cigarette butts all over the ground (it's a non-smoking complex), comes outside to yell on the phone at 2 a.m., and does this insanely gross clearing phlegm from his throat thing ever day. Seriously, he's like showy about it, like "gather round y'all, look how far I can hawk a loogie!"

I'm losing sleep, I can't focus on work and I'm irritable a lot. And there's nothing I can do outside of move or attack my neighbors.

What healthy way(s) do you deal with anger/annoyance?

34 Replies
Kenny516 profile image
Kenny516

Ive never heard of the harrassment thru noise.. definitely sounds like he's a strange dude :)

in reply to Kenny516

Exactly. It's not a crime, so he's gonna keep on doing it because, well, he can!

If you've ever seen Scrubs, he's like Janitor, and I am unfortunately his J.D.💩

ADHDgifts profile image
ADHDgifts in reply to

Look into rental laws in your state for "quiet enjoyment". Request a new unit or get permission break lease early due to inhabitable conditions. Do not give up it can be done.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

”insanely gross clearing phlegm from his throat thing ever day. ”

Omg I actually did move because of someone like that! It reminds me of that Phillip dick movie with Tom cruise and the eyeball surgeon 🤮

Noise cancellation earphones are fantastic. The over ear kind are also comfortable. The music services have focus playlists. 40 hz music for concentrating. Other wavelengths are good for relaxing etc

Are you on a laptop? Deskpass has a mini subscription for 15/month. It is like 5 visits. Libraries are also good spots for working occasionally. Just be sure to use VPN and there are free ones.

in reply to Blueruth

I wish my job were truly remote, and I could just pick up and go wherever I want! I'd go to a cafe every day, or I'd be waking up at a camping spot fully engulfed in nature, ooo, or by a lake!

Unfortunately, I have my work computer, two monitors and a bunch of chords. It'd be too much to set up and break down long term.

I might try the most cancelling headphones. Thank you for the suggestion!

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth in reply to

you need to reduce some of that weight girl! how are you going to travel and work? :) That's the funnest part of being solo and remote. I have a portable monitor and just deal with a laptop size.

in reply to Blueruth

Ah Blueruth that sounds ideal. I'm looking into switching industries, so hopefully something pans out with that!

Nice, I've definitely done the rain thing. Maybe I'll try ear plugs. Thank you!

Toddzen profile image
Toddzen

My neighbor above me made my life hell. I had to move. I would never live underneath someone again.

in reply to Toddzen

That's what I'm thinking! I'm going to be requesting the top floor from here on out.

coolkitty1934 profile image
coolkitty1934

music would work and heck if it annoys those guys thats just a bonus if they ever come to you to complain about your music just tell them why exactly you have it playing

coolkitty1934 profile image
coolkitty1934 in reply to coolkitty1934

if you are more towards not confronting just write a note about what annoys you asking them to please stop also to get one the good side of the parents maybe like tape a piece of candy to it for their kid or something

in reply to coolkitty1934

Update: just found my neighbor to the right's mug shot, and, yup, it was for a violent crime. He attacked a family member 💩💩💩

coolkitty1934 profile image
coolkitty1934 in reply to

well crap

ADHDgifts profile image
ADHDgifts

Honestly I think your best bet is to request a new unit. Do not give up on this and it is easier than one might think. You deserve quiet enjoyment of a rental and are not receiving that. Your mental health and health depend on it. I'm so sorry...I'm super sensitive to noise and smells and apartment living was a form of hell for me for many years but I learned what works...be the squeaky wheel and do whatever you can to have peace. Find a unit on the top floor, possibly end unit too...keep us posted please. In the meantime, grab a sleep machine or use an app for white noise -really helps (hearing brown noise the best). Try not to say anything to the guy next door and be pleasant -you do not need issues there -let mgmt handle.

ADHDgifts profile image
ADHDgifts in reply to ADHDgifts

Also check out HUD in your area for specific info -for example (and you can even call a housing hotline for assistance in your state) hud.gov/states/pennsylvania...

That’s terrible! What a dreadful environment for you to have to live in. I work with children with Complex Learning Disabilities that are noise sensitive. A decent pair of noise cancelling headphones really help them to deaden noise. I had terrible neighbours a few years ago and it was horrendous! One was a Baillie for a City Council too! They would play loud music playing even when they were out!Football on the radio blaring walking in and out the house slamming doors! Sectarian drunken behaviour. Walking about outside in underpants! So extremely charming to say the least! It was a living nightmare as it went on for a couple of years! They eventually moved as they ended up in court over their drunken threatening sectarian behaviour. One found guilty so it made it impossible for them to continue living here! The constant excessive anti social noise does wear you down and affect every aspect of your life! My heart goes out to you! Your Council should be able to give you a meter to measure noise levels. Police can deal with antisocial behaviour. It’s just a big step getting them involved. Good luck my darling. 🍀😘xx

roses4all profile image
roses4all

Sorry. It's hard to function on not enough sleep. I moved. There were drummers. One of the guys in the appartment below me was a waiter. He finished in the wee hours of the morning and began his drumming at 2 or 3 am. I wrote a registered letter to the landlord. I know the landlord talked to him but he really didn't want to stop his drumming. He could have just changed rooms but he didn't want to. I sent about 3 registered letters, and the noise continued.

Then I went to the housing authority. It's a landlord/tenant court and asked them to break my lease. My landlord agreed. I was surprised but he raised the rent a lot for the next tennant. He couldn't have done that if I stayed. I also got about a thousand dollars in dammages for the noise. The registered letters were the proof for how long it had been going on. I'm still renting but this place is very quiet. I have the bed noise above me but it only lasts about 15 minutes. I can wait 15 minutes out. I still get 8 hours sleep and if they are doing the deed when I am trying to work, I play a game or clean for 15 min. No biggy. Good luck.

Babe1213 profile image
Babe1213

I am assuming you are in USA, I am un UK - I therefore know very little about your laws etc; however the few suggestions already given may be of help to you, although you have probably tried most of them.

In UK we have something called ASBO'S This is a government initiative (which means it is a legal process) that is carried out by our local authorities, and has been set up for just the reason you are complaining about.

ASBO MEANS ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORDERS - This means if we have a problem we report to the local authority, they will investigate and if proven (some people do get away with such antics) will apply an order to the perpetrators for a set period of time - maybe 2 years. Perhaps it would be helpful if you lobbied your politicians to set something similar in your country.

I do wish you well, and hope you are able to get some sleep soon.

Sunnyallday111 profile image
Sunnyallday111

Get some nice earbuds and comfy quality ear plugs they will be the items that can help you get through this.

EarthSitter1 profile image
EarthSitter1

I sleep with headphones on partly due to noisy neighbours and partly because hubby snores like a drain 🤣.

Call in the MarinesGet ten pitbulls

Get tape recorder and play back all their noises and video them so they go away

Play super loud music of ur own

Oh. Guess not smart ideas. Wonder why I don't write

My way of saying. Feel for u

Listen to others here

See manager. And listen others. Guess having a monster truck program on full blast not socially right

Translation

Sooo feel for u

Construction. Noises ???????

punkster profile image
punkster

Is moving a possibility?

in reply to punkster

My rent is more than $1K and that's the cheapest in the area. Hopefully, I figure something out by the end of this lease!

mareschultz profile image
mareschultz

I have always been extremely sensitive to noise. College was my first time living in an environment full of noisy people. I started using silicone earplugs. They are really good at blocking out sound. I am in my own home now but I still sometimes use them since my neighbor has a large dog that barks constantly for hours when they aren’t home and I can hear it even when the windows are closed. At times, when something like my husband’s sports event on television is bothering me, I can get by with a brown noise generator. I play it on my Alexa but there are apps like Simply Noise that generate white, pink, or brown noise or offer other sound effects that you can play with or without earphones.

Just my opinion, but three bad neighbors is three too many. I would probably look for a more peaceful place. I have never had that many nasty neighbors in one apartment building.

Tara52 profile image
Tara52

I wouldn't suggest confronting anyone it would just inflame the situation. I would look for another place to live and move when your lease is up. In the meantime noise blocking headphones sounds like a good investment. Hope this helps.

Redbeard53 profile image
Redbeard53

getting out of there is the only option there is, you can’t change people like that.

melbrown profile image
melbrown

Hi HelloFolks. I work in property management (receptionist) here's some suggestions. Do you still have a copy of your lease? I would read it to see if it says anything about respecting your neighbors, quite times, pets, etc. Also, check your local rental rules, which can vary from city to city. Talk to your property manager/landlord about it & if there is rules/laws point that out- you can say your neighbors in general. Unfortunately they can only point out the rule(s), typically sending out a mass notice (usually not saying who reported it). They might have the upstairs neighbor put carpet down to muffle the noise.. If there's a different unit available, see if it's possible for you to move to that one.Hope this helps some.

akbj profile image
akbj

Wow! That's awful. I'm also extremely sensitive to noise & had an upstairs neighbor for many years who was beyond noisy all night. My landlord told me he had ptsd ( her excuse for why he was up all night) he didn't work etc. (She probably shouldn't have told me that) anyway I'd talked to him a few times & he was actually ok when he was sober but he didn't handle alcohol well at all & he even told me he worked out with heavy weights at night, he practiced marital arts & practiced juggling of all things. He would drop heavy stuff all the time, he also wore heavy boots inside. He partied with street people he would bring home, several times I went upstairs to break up a party & once I ended up taking in a naked young woman who burst out of his place trying to get away from him because he was attacking her. Neither of them were dressed...It was raining out & she was afraid to go back to get her clothes. What had woken me up was huge ongoing crashing noises & turned out she was trying to escape him through the bathroom window & he was trying to break into his bathroom. I wanted to call the police but she pleaded with me not to. I let her sleep it off for a few hours & gave her some sweatclothes. Just on & on & on. I tried calling the police once when he tried to visit me while drunk & insisted on practicing his martial arts moves on me & wouldn't leave. My landlord actually told me to call the police in that case. They actually came & tried to contact him 3 different times because it turned out he had warrants for his arrest.

Sorry to go on so long. I put off moving due to chronic pain making physical moving so difficult but finally did out of desperation. Now I live in a pretty quiet senior (55=) bldg and I never take it for granted.

All those years I wore earplugs & also ran 1 or 2 white noise machines turned up high. They helped a little bit but I still went nuts due to the noise.

The white noise machines actually are helpful even if it's still noisy. I also still wear earplugs most of the time at home. After so many years those things became habits.

I can't imagine having so many awful neighbors as you have! I hope something changes for you soon.

MrsSwing profile image
MrsSwing

Hi, sorry to hear that you’re experiencing this as it can be detrimental to someone’s mental health. I have neighbours above me that have 2 kids & the young one makes noise morning, noon & night. There is so much noise transference & the parents are aware of it & purposely make noise. Both my smoke alarm & light shake. I bought ear plugs but I can't wear then everyday due to sinus problems. I tried to resolve the issues with them but they kept on coming up with excuses. I’m in the UK & I had to contact my housing association & my MP to serve a notice for them to remove the laminate flooring. I’m trying to move which is a pity as I love my home but they’re such vile people & keep causing problems for me & other neighbours.

in reply to MrsSwing

Yeah, I think moving's gonna have to be the way to go for me, too. When people stomp above me my ceiling fan shakes also, haha. It's gotten to the point where I've removed the glass fixtures around the bulbs because the constant rattling was driving me nuts!

Thanks for sharing. Here's to us both getting out of these situations 🍻

MrsSwing profile image
MrsSwing

It’s so unfair but we don’t seem to have another choice. Good luck with finding a new place which I hope is really nice🤞🏼

Raggedy-Ann profile image
Raggedy-Ann

I remember living in loud places. Call the management company, request they send a notice to all of the residents discussing noise, smoking... that shows a first complaint. the notice you need to keep just in case. if that doesn't help next request signs be posted- 2nd complaint.....

if the management company does nothing, start calling the cops.

Beholy profile image
Beholy

Moving is hard but if you can you should move, or talk to the owner of the building and see if there's anything that can be done. I'm sorry the you're going through this.

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