One of the unquestionable perks about living in a city apartment is the community that’s built around you. Neighbors can become emergency pet-sitters, potluck guests, and even close friends. At The Waycroft, we love the neighborly atmosphere made possible by our gorgeous community spaces, including our recently opened rooftop pool area!
We also know that neighbors can sometimes grate on our nerves a little bit. Whether you live in an apartment, condo, or single-family house, one situation that everyone in a moderately dense area can relate to is too much noise coming from the next unit over.
Interruptions from noisy neighbors are never pleasant, but they can be particularly disruptive in an apartment setting. We couldn’t help but wonder about who these extra loud folks are, where they live, and the etiquette around quieting them down. So, we decided to conduct a nationwide survey to better understand noisy people who live next door.
In order to gain some insights, we conducted an online survey of 5,510 American adults from all across the country about their noisy neighbor experiences. We asked them to share where and who these noisy neighbors were as well as what interruptive behaviors they had encountered. Finally, we asked them about how they responded to their noisy neighbors to get a better sense of the acceptable etiquette around these behaviors. The survey ran from June 15 to June 22, 2020.
Some of the results were surprising, some were infuriating, and others were downright hilarious! Read on to discover what we found.
The States with the Loudest and Quietest Neighbors
First, we had respondents rate their neighbors’ loudness based on a scale from one to three, and then we compared different groups to the national average. As you can see in the graphic above, the states with the noisiest neighbors were Idaho, New York, and Vermont, all of which were reported to be at least 11.5% louder than the national average.
While we were definitely expecting to see New York on the list (surely, New York City’s never-sleep attitude leads to some midnight chatter), we found the other states to be pretty surprising. After all, Idaho and Vermont, as well as many of the other top-scoring states, are famously serene and full of outdoorsy folks that might be more likely to take their noisy activities in nature. Apparently not!
On the other hand, the least noisy states included South Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas. Each of these states has major cities where people would be likely to come across noisy neighbors, but perhaps residents in these states are simply more considerate or polite!
Diving into Loud Neighbor Behavior
After understanding the regions where noisy neighbors were the most prevalent, we wanted to get a better understanding of the households where these noisy behaviors were happening.
We found that, for the respondents we surveyed, roughly equal amounts of residents lived in single-family homes or apartments, making up about 90% of the sample group. The responses we received about noisy neighbors happened in all sorts of settings, not just the apartment scenarios that we are most familiar with at The Waycroft. This representation of single-family home dwellers meant that for many of the respondents, about 26%, hallway noise was not applicable to any issues with noisy neighbors they had.
Another factor we considered was what time of day the noisy behaviors were occurring. According to our respondents, the most common time of day for noisy neighbors to cause extra noise was the evening, with about 45% of respondents reporting that their neighbors were the loudest during this time of day. Sure enough, the next highest-reported time of day for extra noise was the middle of the night.
Next, we wanted to look at who exactly was making all this noise. The Waycroft hosts residents of all ages, so we wanted to get a sense of how the ages of our residents factor into any loud behaviors.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the survey found that the younger generations were definitely rowdier than their older counterparts. According to the survey, Millennials made the most noise at 4.9% greater than the national average, while Baby Boomers made far less noise, at 6.8% less than the national average. These comparative statistics indicate that folks with older neighbors may have less to worry about in terms of loud interruptions. However, with so many homes becoming multi-generational, it’s interesting to think about how age-overlaps may lead to higher ratings for reported noisy neighbors.
Of course, to get a complete understanding of who exactly is making the noise, it’s necessary to see what exactly is the cause of all the clatter. So, we asked survey respondents about the most common and most unusual loud neighbor behaviors – and we had a good laugh at some of the responses!
What we found was that the smallest neighbors were sometimes responsible for the biggest noises. The top two noisy behaviors reported were caused by boisterous children and playful pets. It’s hard to get mad at kids and pets for making noise, especially when they are also some of the cutest neighbors around!
Other notable behaviors were the products of relationships, such as intimacy and arguing. However, other causes like singing, playing musical instruments, and working on DIY projects proved that even a single neighbor could be interruptive.
How Americans Deal with Noisy Neighbors
Noisy Neighbor Solutions: 7 Tips for Success
Living in an apartment complex often means close proximity to neighbors, which can sometimes lead to noise disturbances. If you find yourself dealing with noisy apartment neighbors, here are some tips to help address the situation:
1. Communicate Politely
In many cases, noisy neighbors may not even realize they are causing a disturbance. Approach them politely and respectfully to discuss the issue. They may be willing to adjust their behavior once they understand the impact it’s having on you.
2. Offer Solutions
When discussing the noise problem with your neighbors, be prepared to offer potential solutions. Whether it’s establishing quiet hours, using soundproofing techniques, or finding alternative ways to minimize noise, working together to find a resolution can be beneficial for everyone.
3. Utilize Management Resources
If the noise issue persists despite your attempts to address it directly with your neighbors, don’t hesitate to reach out to your building management or landlord for assistance. They may be able to intervene and enforce noise regulations outlined in the lease agreement.
4. Keep a Record
Document instances of excessive noise, including dates, times, and specific disturbances. This information can be helpful if you need to escalate the issue to building management or take further action.
5. Explore Noise Reduction Methods:
Consider investing in noise-canceling headphones or white noise machines to help minimize the impact of noisy neighbors on your daily life. Soundproofing curtains, rugs, or wall panels can also be effective in reducing noise transmission between units.
6. Know Your Rights:
Familiarize yourself with the noise policies outlined in your lease agreement and local ordinances. If noisy neighbors continue to disrupt your peace despite your efforts to address the issue, you may have legal recourse available to you.
7. Seek Community Support:
Connect with other neighbors who may be experiencing similar noise disturbances. Collaborating with fellow residents to address the issue collectively can lend strength to your efforts in resolving the situation.
By approaching the situation calmly, communicating effectively, and exploring potential solutions, you can work towards creating a more peaceful living environment for yourself and your neighbors. Remember, fostering positive relationships with those around you can lead to a more enjoyable apartment living experience for everyone involved.
How to Deal with Loud Apartment Neighbors: Key Takeaways
Finally, after getting a better idea about the details of noisy neighbors encountered by respondents, we wanted to understand how respondents react. We asked a few questions about their common responses to get a sense of the etiquette around dealing with loud neighbors.
First, we asked if respondents had ever contacted their landlords with a noise complaint. The largest segment, about 46% of respondents, said that they had not contacted their landlords. This sentiment also carried through to reporting noise to higher-ups. A hefty 70.6% of respondents said that they hadn’t reported noisy neighbors to local officials.
However, these loud residents didn’t get off scot-free. About 45% of respondents said they had confronted their neighbors about interruptive noise. It’s an encouraging sign that community-based solutions are preferred, but don’t be afraid to contact support from your management if needed!
In the end, what we learned from the survey is that noisy neighbors are inevitable, especially when you live near younger people with pets, kids, or noisy hobbies. However, if you’re willing to form a neighborly relationship, you can definitely reach out with a request to quiet down. Turning your living space into a home is a lot easier when you have neighbors you can interact with easily. To learn more about Ballston, where our residents bond, check out our neighborhood page.
