1930s Semi - Are they noisy to live in?

paulnstar

All

We are in the final stages of buying a very nice 1930's Semi in Southampton. We had the homebuyer’s survey done and all is ok apart from a few things which I'd like feedback on.

1. We know that the two neighbors have fallen out over noise and we visited the neighbors and they were very nice and honest. They are a young family with 3 children (4, 7 and 14) and do make the occasional noise, but it seems as though the sellers have complained about various everyday noises, doors being slammed and grunts and groans at night too.

So ………Do 1930's Semi detached houses have thin walls between the two dwellings?

I must admit I have GREAT hearing and have been brought up in detached houses so I'm a little nervous about how noisy things can be.

My wife works with families and so has great people skills so I know we'll be able to communicate better with our new neighbors but I guess I'm looking for re-assurances that in general these types of houses are fine, probably much better than some newer builds!!

Paul

House_owner

I live in a 1930s semi, can hear doors being opened, people going up and down the stairs, the vacum cleaner being used, the phone ringing, but the noise is quite muffled. - Better than a new build flat I lived in once.

flea72

i think in most semis you can hear your neighbours to a certain extent. in our 30s semi we cant hear our neighbours tv, but we can hear them sneeze, so either they have the tv down low, or sneeze really loud! but on the whole any noise is quite muffled

however as already stated, in newer build houses ive heard everything my neighbours do, from flicking light switches, to having a wee (or other things)

i think the most annoying things tho, depend on their flooring. kids, laminate and stairs do not mix

F

redlady_1

Oh you will hear most things. I live in a very old house and the walls are paper thin. You just need to accept if you are attached that you will hear various things. Its called semi detached living

Pincher

An american once observed:"Half a house, how quaint."

I was brought up in a 1930s semi, and it's only bad if next door plays loud music.

Our solution was to build fitted wardrobes along that wall in the bedrooms.
In the middle was a fireplace, which is plenty of thickness for sound proofing, so that's where the headboard for the bed is.

Downstairs, you can play music or have the TV on to drown out regular noise.

paulnstar

Great feedback everybody.

They do have fireplaces in each room and I like the wardrobes idea so I think I'm going to purchase the house.

I do live in a flat now with my wife and we'd like to start a family and so the layout of the 1930's house seems perfect for us (no trips via the living room to get to the kitchen etc).

The floorboards are exposed in the house so I guess this doesn't help and my wife wants carpet at least in the bedroom so I'll make sure its well insulated.

Paul

immoral_angeluk

Just pray your neighbour isn't a musician.

paulnstar

Ditto!!!

JA1000

If it's under a flight path or you have your music up loud then you will find it noisey.

Wutang_2

My mate was telling me sunday that he had a semi but not sure what he was on about...Have emailed him but as yet, no response.

SUESMITH_2

we live in a 1930s semi - its fine, we know when our neighbour has his kids over cos the dooes slam but can't really hear anything else.