FAO: People who live in semi-detached houses - noise issues?

WeAreGhosts

Updated at post #59

at the moment, we live in a detached, but are looking at buying a semi (viewing it this week, but really really like it already). we have previously lived in semi's and a terrace and hated that we could hear the neighbours. one had a chronic cough and in the others we could hear the kids yelling/vacuuming at 6am/dogs barking.

we are quite a quiet family and so i think we hear things more than most.

has anyone done anything to try and stop the noise from next door? i mean, sound-proofing or anything?

or have we been unlucky in the past and most people in semi's live a peaceful existence?

EverGreen_2

WeAreGhosts wrote: »

(this is probably an odd question)

at the moment, we live in a detached, but are looking at buying a semi (viewing it this week, but really really like it already). we have previously lived in semi's and a terrace and hated that we could hear the neighbours. one had a chronic cough and in the others we could hear the kids yelling/vacuuming at 6am/dogs barking.

we are quite a quiet family and so i think we hear things more than most.

has anyone done anything to try and stop the noise from next door? i mean, sound-proofing or anything?

or have we been unlucky in the past and most people in semi's live a peaceful existence?

Any particular reason why r u moving from detached to semi-?
It the budget is not the one, I would stay/remain detached.

GalaxyStar

We moved into our semi-detached house in november. Neighbours are an older couple (50s). We hear their TV at around half 7, I think it's a certain show they watch as it goes again then. If they have friends around they sit in their conservatory/dining room, it is often as if they are sat in our dining room. It's annoying but they don't do it often so not to bother telling them about. I did actually go round the other week to collect a parcel of ours from them and she mentioned they had soundproofed in the alcoves in the living room as they had speakers in them but removed them since. Quite glad as if we hear their TV for that one show without the speakers can't imagine the soundproofing would have done much! Though it is nice they thought about it. And explains why we hear them more in the dining room. I'd stay detached if I could!

movilogo

It depends on the construction of the house.

Older semis have thick solid walls between them and you an hardly hear anything. Where as newer houses have paper thin walls!

WeAreGhosts

the semi is 1930s

we're moving from a crummy area into a nicer one and can't really afford detached there.

we have looked at detached, but they are just so small compared to what we are moving from. we are booked to see one this week but it would need the interior ripping out and re-modelling to suit us, but it's close to the top of our budget already. we have been told the vendors have put it on at the top valuation they got, but the agent they've gone with valued it the lowest at £15k less ....

restless6

I live in a semi and would love a detached house!
I can even hear my neighbours in the bath!!

Dont do it!

comeandgo

I have lived in a semi and it was no problem, our houses were mirror image with the garages as being the joining walls so our living rooms were about 30 yards apart. My son stays in a semi ex council house with stairs and you hear the neighbours running up and down the stairs and the odd loud shouts.

WeAreGhosts

restless6 wrote: »

I live in a semi and would love a detached house!
I can even hear my neighbours in the bath!!

Dont do it!

yeah i used to hear that too, even in an old house!

shopaholicz

Our semi was built in 1960. The walls are quite thick, the only time we hear neighbours are when they are in their conservatory and we're in our dining room. They've knocked their back wall through to make their dining room and conservatory one big space and use it as a playroom. Apart from this we never hear anything.

We used to live in an end terrace built in 1910 and the walls were super thick, we never heard a murmur from neighbours.

Friends of ours have bought a brand new semi and not only are the rooms mega small, but you can hear the neighbours walking around their upstairs from friends sitting room!!!

I think with a 1950s house, you should be safe. Sure you want to move, there is a lot to be said for living in a detached.

mummyroysof3

We hear next door and they hear us. We are joined on stairs and smallest bedroom. I think it only issue if both houses vary massively in noise levels ie got one with kids running around while other house sits in silence for example

custardy

We are in a new build semi. never hear anything from next door,but they are an old couple.
We are joined by the stairs & bathroom which I guess helps