Am I unlucky or am I the problem

7firearcade

RHemmings said:

7firearcade said:

Thanks to everyone for the sympathy, solidarity and suggestions - both the serious and humorous. 

To answer the question about location: we are in a leafy and generally calmer part of south-east London, zone 2/3 borderlands. Detached housing here is rare and far too expensive for us unfortunately. We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons so I think we will have to just put up with the noise for now. Your responses have made me realise that these issues are largely par for the course and our next step will be to get a soundproofing expert in and take stock again towards the end of 2024... 

I once lived in Forest Hill many moons ago. In which case, I understand about the cost of detached housing having revisited on the weekend and looked up house prices out of curiosity. I don't remember a lot of noise then. I was in a converted flat on the top floor of one half of a semi. 

Very nearby! It is still generally quiet, no nightlife which puts off people who are interested in that. The overground has definitely pushed house prices up though...

Cloth_of_Gold

7firearcade said:

RHemmings said:

7firearcade said:

Thanks to everyone for the sympathy, solidarity and suggestions - both the serious and humorous. 

To answer the question about location: we are in a leafy and generally calmer part of south-east London, zone 2/3 borderlands. Detached housing here is rare and far too expensive for us unfortunately. We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons so I think we will have to just put up with the noise for now. Your responses have made me realise that these issues are largely par for the course and our next step will be to get a soundproofing expert in and take stock again towards the end of 2024... 

I once lived in Forest Hill many moons ago. In which case, I understand about the cost of detached housing having revisited on the weekend and looked up house prices out of curiosity. I don't remember a lot of noise then. I was in a converted flat on the top floor of one half of a semi. 

Very nearby! It is still generally quiet, no nightlife which puts off people who are interested in that. The overground has definitely pushed house prices up though...

I still think that you should a friendly word with the 'music people'. They might be totally understanding and agree a way with you to limit their noise, or to play music largely at times when you're not there. Why not invite them over for a drink and you could bring the subject up in a convivial atmosphere so it doesn't seem as if you're being confrontational.

Gavin83

7firearcade said:

We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons 

What reasons?

Ultimately there probably isn't a single reason it's impossible for you to move out of London. Therefore it's really a case of you deciding what's more important to you. Clearly the noise isn't that big a deal that it outweighs the other reasons for you but if it reaches that tipping point then it's something you should probably consider.

London attracts young people and people who generally prefer noise and the 24/7 lifestyle so the best way to reduce the risk is to move. There's also the added benefit that the value of your flat in London will likely get you a detached property elsewhere.

7firearcade

Gavin83 said:

7firearcade said:

We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons 

What reasons?

Ultimately there probably isn't a single reason it's impossible for you to move out of London. Therefore it's really a case of you deciding what's more important to you. Clearly the noise isn't that big a deal that it outweighs the other reasons for you but if it reaches that tipping point then it's something you should probably consider.

London attracts young people and people who generally prefer noise and the 24/7 lifestyle so the best way to reduce the risk is to move. There's also the added benefit that the value of your flat in London will likely get you a detached property elsewhere.

Combination of the cost of commuting in from outside, the sentimental fact that it's home (lifelong Londoner here going back at least 2 generations), continuity of care for my chronic health condition, + the kicker which is elderly and widowed father with terminal disease living nearby. True that London is lively and attracts a young, transient population, but it's also a place where people of all ages put down roots and not always straightforward to leave.

7firearcade

Cloth_of_Gold said:

7firearcade said:

RHemmings said:

7firearcade said:

Thanks to everyone for the sympathy, solidarity and suggestions - both the serious and humorous. 

To answer the question about location: we are in a leafy and generally calmer part of south-east London, zone 2/3 borderlands. Detached housing here is rare and far too expensive for us unfortunately. We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons so I think we will have to just put up with the noise for now. Your responses have made me realise that these issues are largely par for the course and our next step will be to get a soundproofing expert in and take stock again towards the end of 2024... 

I once lived in Forest Hill many moons ago. In which case, I understand about the cost of detached housing having revisited on the weekend and looked up house prices out of curiosity. I don't remember a lot of noise then. I was in a converted flat on the top floor of one half of a semi. 

Very nearby! It is still generally quiet, no nightlife which puts off people who are interested in that. The overground has definitely pushed house prices up though...

I still think that you should a friendly word with the 'music people'. They might be totally understanding and agree a way with you to limit their noise, or to play music largely at times when you're not there. Why not invite them over for a drink and you could bring the subject up in a convivial atmosphere so it doesn't seem as if you're being confrontational.

Yes I think we will definitely do this - thank you! They have been friendly so far so fingers crossed. 

MultiFuelBurner

7firearcade said:

Cloth_of_Gold said:

7firearcade said:

RHemmings said:

7firearcade said:

Thanks to everyone for the sympathy, solidarity and suggestions - both the serious and humorous. 

To answer the question about location: we are in a leafy and generally calmer part of south-east London, zone 2/3 borderlands. Detached housing here is rare and far too expensive for us unfortunately. We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons so I think we will have to just put up with the noise for now. Your responses have made me realise that these issues are largely par for the course and our next step will be to get a soundproofing expert in and take stock again towards the end of 2024... 

I once lived in Forest Hill many moons ago. In which case, I understand about the cost of detached housing having revisited on the weekend and looked up house prices out of curiosity. I don't remember a lot of noise then. I was in a converted flat on the top floor of one half of a semi. 

Very nearby! It is still generally quiet, no nightlife which puts off people who are interested in that. The overground has definitely pushed house prices up though...

I still think that you should a friendly word with the 'music people'. They might be totally understanding and agree a way with you to limit their noise, or to play music largely at times when you're not there. Why not invite them over for a drink and you could bring the subject up in a convivial atmosphere so it doesn't seem as if you're being confrontational.

Yes I think we will definitely do this - thank you! They have been friendly so far so fingers crossed. 

Don't forget whilst in conversation to note things they don't like, just incase after a nice chat nothing changes 😜

Murphybear

EssexHebridean said:

Terraced housing as such isn't the issue - poorly built terraced housing is though. We live in a late 1950's terrace - and while we do hear some noise through from next door via windows, we hear nothing at all through the walls! When we were in our flat - reinforced concrete sectional construction from 1956 - again, no noise whatsoever through the walls, but when the upstairs people decided to lay laminate flooring throughout that was a different story! 

I would also agree that the way the neighbours introduced themselves suggests that they were expecting they might already have been mentioned to the OP...

I agree that one of the main issues is how well built the properties are built.

I was brought up in a town that had been heavily bombed during the war and the council built many good houses.  We were on one end of a row of 4 and we couldn’t hear any of our neighbours.  The houses didn’t have double glazing but were solid red brick.  

I bought an ex council flat in London, there were only 18 in the block.  They were solidly built (I think it was in the 60s) and I never heard a peep out of any of my neighbours.  

The worst flats I’ve lived in have been those converted from houses, older purpose built seem to generally be better. 

Like many have said I also have a low tolerance to noise so I do sympathise with you. 

ThisIsWeird

7firearcade said:

Cloth_of_Gold said:

7firearcade said:

RHemmings said:

7firearcade said:

Thanks to everyone for the sympathy, solidarity and suggestions - both the serious and humorous. 

To answer the question about location: we are in a leafy and generally calmer part of south-east London, zone 2/3 borderlands. Detached housing here is rare and far too expensive for us unfortunately. We did seriously consider moving out of London but it wasn't possible for a variety of reasons so I think we will have to just put up with the noise for now. Your responses have made me realise that these issues are largely par for the course and our next step will be to get a soundproofing expert in and take stock again towards the end of 2024... 

I once lived in Forest Hill many moons ago. In which case, I understand about the cost of detached housing having revisited on the weekend and looked up house prices out of curiosity. I don't remember a lot of noise then. I was in a converted flat on the top floor of one half of a semi. 

Very nearby! It is still generally quiet, no nightlife which puts off people who are interested in that. The overground has definitely pushed house prices up though...

I still think that you should a friendly word with the 'music people'. They might be totally understanding and agree a way with you to limit their noise, or to play music largely at times when you're not there. Why not invite them over for a drink and you could bring the subject up in a convivial atmosphere so it doesn't seem as if you're being confrontational.

Yes I think we will definitely do this - thank you! They have been friendly so far so fingers crossed. 

Just how bad is it? How unreasonable?
WHAT music do they play? At what times? And for how long?

The 'music' is the most important...

theoretica

One part of the -is it me - is how much you investigated noise before you committed to a property.  Of course neighbours do move in/out, and sellers try to present things in the best light, but you can try to get an indication of existing neighbours and insulation levels.

I find noises are most grating when they come into silence. My brain latches onto them.  Playing my own music very quietly, and something familiar enough that I don't listen to it - often the same thing on repeat - gives my brain something to listen to and it reduces how much other sounds impact on my awareness. 

Ksw3

You have my sympathies. We just moved from a middle floor flat to a terraced house and it's just as noisy. I can even hear their morning alarm clock...