Do you love or hate your neighbors?
By Tamarama34
@Tamarama34 (240)
Canada
April 25, 2009 8:00am CST
My hubs and I live in a basement apartment with only one apartment above us.
Some days are quiet, others so noisy you just want to scream and bang on the
ceiling.
Most days are quiet until about 3 or 4 pm, then their brother in law and friends
come over, the drinking starts and they turn up the same tunes, thump loudly on the
floor in beat to the same old music, make corny jokes and laugh very loudly, yell,
whoop and holler and generally are just very loud.
Luckily, our neighbors are also kind enough to shut everything down at 10:30 or 11
pm, which is great.
Some other pet peeves we have are:
1. We put out 1 bag every two weeks of garbage.
They put in 4-6 bags of garbage every week so sometimes we have no room for our
garbage in their can and we have to take out 2-3 bags sometimes to put ours in or
we get charged for our garbage.
(each household is only allowed 1 bag of garbage or 1 pail.)
2. If we are doing our laundry, then all of a sudden (even if they just did theirs
the day before) they have to do laundry and take the machines up for 3 days to a
week at a time.
They pull our wet clothes from the washer and dump them either on top of our dirty
clothes or place them on top of the dry clothes from the dryer in a basket.
Same for the clothes in the dryer.
Instead of taking the dryer and turning it back on to finish drying our clothes,
they bag the half dry clothes up and leave them on the floor in front of the door.
3. Parking...Until we finally cracked on them one day because my...erm...shapely
body couldn't squeeze through the tiny gap they left, they would always park so
close together you had to do the limbo under the guys truck mirror.
He'd also park diagonally in the drive too, now he has his truck in fairly straight
most days.
4. Heat and Cold-they "own" the thermostat and it drives us crazy.
We have to ask them to turn on the heat or turn it off.
A couple days ago, we had a warm day and they had all the windows in their house
open and the heat still blasting.
I told them that they were roasting us out because the heat would go on for about
10 mins, then turn off for five, then come back on and we only have one tiny window
in our living room right now that opens.
Today is a cold day and the heat is off...ugggh
So, pardon the lengthy discussion here, but I was just wondering how you feel about
your neighbors?
2 people like this
20 responses
@denisedora (190)
• United States
25 Apr 09
our neighbors are hella kool sorry for your luck.
1 person likes this
@LaSenyoraSilis (313)
• United States
25 Apr 09
Mine too. I really enjoy having the neighbors that I have surrounding my "living quarters". :-)
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
I am glad that you both have great neighbors.
The lady who was here before these youngsters was in her 60's and the only noise
you'd hear from her was when her and her man were doing it or when her grandkids
were down.
We liked her, but she found her own house and moved out.
There was peace and quiet for almost 4 months before these yokels moved in.
I loved the quiet before the storm...LOL
Thanks to you both for your responses.
@denisedora (190)
• United States
27 Apr 09
I guess we are really lucky lol but I hope in time it will get better for you and you wil find some sort of peace of mindat your own home. Have a Blessed day! ~N
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
26 Apr 09
Ah such is apt. life. You kind of have to be somewhat tolerant of each other's different ways as in the noise. Unfortunately living in the down apt. has many positives but also some negatives. you will hear everything. I keep to myself but am friendly towards my neighbors. 1. I'm not sure I really am understanding your garbage situation. Why are you putting trash in their can if you all have your own?
2. Laundry...again...not understanding how they take up the laundry for days to a week at a time. I would pay closer attention to my laundry. First, I would ask them nicely to leave my laundry alone and make real sure that it was not sitting in a stopped washer or dryer for any length of time. If that did not work...I'd bring a book to the laundry room and sit right there while I did it to make sure they did not touch it.
3. sounds as if the parking situation is all straightened up.
4. the heat....that is a tough one. I'd talk to them but that is such a poor set up. I mean what if they are gone for a couple of days and the weather turns hot or cold. I would seriously talk to the landlord about this one. My neighbor and I share the same boiler and hot water heater but we each have our own thermostats. On a rare occassion if he really cranks his heat, I may feel it over here but for the most part...no...I control my own myself.
4. the heat....that is a tough one. I'd talk to them but that is such a poor set up. I mean what if they are gone for a couple of days and the weather turns hot or cold. I would seriously talk to the landlord about this one. My neighbor and I share the same boiler and hot water heater but we each have our own thermostats. On a rare occassion if he really cranks his heat, I may feel it over here but for the most part...no...I control my own myself. 
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
26 Apr 09
ok, now I have a clearer picture. It sounds like the landlord is just as bad as your neighbors. It's too bad you couldn't work something peacefully out with the neighbors. It sounds like a frustrating situation. I would suggest moving but with the economy the way it is right now....that's not easy either. good luck!
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Let me try to explain this a bit better...
Garbage=each household is allowed 1 bag of garbage.
Because our house is a semi detached home, the apartments, both up and down are
considered 1 household, so we have to share the can (hence the 1 pail/1 bag) or if
their can is full, we have to pay $2.00 for our garbage to be picked up as well as
their can. (1 bag or 1 pail rule)
Laundry=we work during the day and the only day we have a chance to do laundry is
on the weekend. Sometimes we only have a bit, other times alot.
If we only have a bit, we can do it in about 6 hours due to really crappy machines
that bash the wall and you have to run them through about two to three times.
Sooo, if we have more, then we are limited in hours (house rules from the
landlord) and we end up having to leave it in, they will come down and remove our
stuff and do theirs even though she doesn't work and has all week to do their
laundry.
Hence, our laundry is usually still wet and waiting to go into the dryer or in the
dryer, but has only gone through once.
If we try to finish our laundry and remove their stuff, then it ends up as a
laundry war.
I hope that clears up the questions.
I have thought about talking to the landlord about the heat, but then I think to
myself, I had to revoke the rent for one month just to get him to look at a leak
we had for over a year.
Not worth the hassle really.
Hell, here it is springtime and they started to put in a sub pump last fall.
So far we have a big hole and a plastic bin in it...nothing more.
I hate absentee landlords.
Thank you for your response :))
@rexythesexy (174)
• India
26 Apr 09
Well if are the neighbors are good then life is good else life is hell .But as far I am concerned I am lucky to have good neighbors in my apartment very helpful and I feel the sense of family sort of relationship with them.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
You are very lucky and I certainly do agree with you on the statement "If the
neighbors are good, life is good, else is hell"
Ive had the good neighbors and the bad neighbors.
Thank you for your response :))
@gxyywhyzy (450)
• China
26 Apr 09
we lived in a small town.Now I used to hear the barking noise from my neighbour's dogs.we have had no sleep well for a long time.to my most worried my son of 12 months old was often waked up during his sleep.I'm almost crazy.also I can't talk to them and they are not aware of the seriousness.I just hope they concern about their neighbour.
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Having a little kid is always tough, but especially with neighbors who really
don't care.
Have you ever tried earplugs or background noise?
I had that problem once, so I used to keep a fan going in my room and I'd close
the window when they would go for a nap to dull the sound.
You'd still hear it, but it wouldn't be as bad.
Just a suggestion.
Another one I love is an air conditioner as they are noisy too, but you get used
to the sound and it deafens any noises from outdoors.
Thank you for your response :))
@gxyywhyzy (450)
• China
27 Apr 09
It seems that not polite for them.furthermore,I learned that his(cousin) mother had cancer.my cousin had been trapped into a very hard time.now I try to do something for him.
@LaSenyoraSilis (313)
• United States
25 Apr 09
I really like my neighbors. I have never had any problems with them, but I do not think my neighbors can say the same, lol. :-) At the moment, I am living with my mother and patience, well, she does not have any patience. :-) Every little thing that our neighbors do bothers her. :- There is one neighbor who lives downstairs from us that enjoys listening to his much at a very high volume. To me, is not at all bothersome, but to my mother, it is absolute torture. :-) To make matters worse, as a form of "quieting" the neighbor, my mom makes more noise by beating a broom in the foyer area of our home. :-) Can you imagine that? LOL. :-) Several times I had told her, "Does it not occur to you that you are making more than there was before?!?!", lol. :-) She never seems to understand that. :-) Overall, I really enjoy my neighbors. :-)
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Sounds fun...LOL
Yeah, kids and older people are funny arent they?
They are so high strung and fixed in their ways that any change causes them to be
grumpy.
I've never had anyone bang on the walls or broom me before as even with 4 kids, my
house was fairly quiet as they'd all be outside playing.
I'd hate to be the one above Mr. Much Music there, but thats just me...LOL.
Thank you for your response :))
@LaSenyoraSilis (313)
• United States
26 Apr 09
Ha! Ha! I see typos *shocked gasp* :-) I was intending to say that my mother makes more noise with beating on the floor than the neighbor does with his music. :-) By the way, that is so true, some people really are fixed in their ways. :-)
@jayrene (2708)
• Philippines
26 Apr 09
i live in a townhouse, so i dont experience those kind, but our houses have walls only that separate us from our neighbors, we park our car in front of our house. we dont really that much problem with our neighbors, and i dont go out that much too and talk to them since most they do is gossip. so i stay inside most of the time.
but if i ever live in such a place with a situation like that, man, i will definitely look for a new place to live. im the warfreak kind and if my rights are suppressed too much that i cant take it anymore i'll explode. so before it happens, id rather move out.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Townhouses are OK.
The walls are sometimes way too thin for my liking, but on the uphand as you said,
everyone has their own parking spot.
I can just see it now.
I'm getting my license this summer, so I'll be buying a beater shortly thereafter
and the war with the parking spaces is going to be hellafun...LOL.
I can't wait :))
I'd move if I could, but I can't, so I won't...LOL
Thanks for your response :))
@somesh1984 (1295)
• India
25 Apr 09
I think you are in a very bad situation and having a difficult neighbour.My neighbour is a cool one. No tension at all. I like in a 60 flat apartment and on top the people are very nice and cool, they do not make any party or crap noice that can disturb any other flat/people. May be I am lucky enough to get such a helpful and wonderful neighbour.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
You are definitely one of the lucky ones.
If we could move, we would, but right now we are still financially strapped and my
hubs has no credit rating and I have a bad credit rating.
So, in that aspect, nobody wants us to live in their apartments and we were lucky
to even get this one.
Any place we did get would be the same...basically deadbeat landlord, lousy
neighbors and a place that is falling apart around us.
So, we are thinking 4 more years before we can buy a house, so well put up with it
all until then.
Thank you for your response :))
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
26 Apr 09
Lucky me. We do not have such neighbours and they are pretty fine. We do not share anything with them so we do not face any problems or troubles with compatibility. They are very much quiet and do not make much noise. But I do not love them either. The thing is, even though they are quiet all the time, they always choose the wrong times to disturb me. When I'm studying, playing games or watching a movie. They never turn up for a chat when I'm free or such, but always disturb when I'm doing something.
bourne
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
We don't have an issue with our neighbors disturbing us really.
We usually know that after he comes home from work, it gets noisy and usually
lasts until about 10:30 or 11 pm, then it gets quiet.
Sounds like pure bad timing on their part.
Thank you for your response :))
@patzel88 (3310)
• Philippines
26 Apr 09
If that kind of neighbors, it can make other poeple disturbances and it is not good mingle with out any understanding of the poeple surround them.
But in the village where in live, i have never encountered such that kind of people because we understand the people privacy, sometimes when there are some parties then we understand that it will be having a noisy moment.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Sounds like a good community.
I'm sure the parties aren't practically every night though like they are here.
There just doesn't seem to be any respect here.
*Sigh*
However, from reading alot of the posts here, it could be so much better OR so
much worse.
I suppose ours is a love-hate relationship here.
Thank you for your response :))
@babyorchid (1737)
• China
26 Apr 09
opps. this is really not so pleasant to have such a neigubor....they dont know how to respect others.
while i am much lukcy, we are living in 5th floor,and our neighborhood are quiet..
only smtimes, the neighbors near us would make some noise..their kid is practising guitar...but not harsh..
haha
pleasant to hear
haa
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
No, its not really pleasant having these types of neighbors, but from what I can
see from this thread, it could be so much worse than it is.
What we are going through is petty compared to some neighbor problems.
Thank you for your response :))
@mayze22 (34)
• Philippines
26 Apr 09
I love our neighbors. Although, sometimes we fight I love them. They are like my second family especially this one family I consider my second family. If ever I will have my own family, I want my children to grow up in this kind of neighborhood: friendly, close, and willing to help each other out.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Wow, sounds great.
I wish I had that.
We have alot of neighbors around that are friendly too, but most are retirees and
have their own lives they are living right now to really be bothered with anyone
else.
I also find that if you are a renter, people treat you differently.
Nobody seems to want to get close to you because you could just up and dissappear
at any given moment.
Thanks for your response :))
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Yeah, see that's how it should be.
Neighbors should be respectful and helpful and caring.
I think I'd rather be in a village instead of a big cranky dirty city.
Thanks for your response :))
@kellyt82 (204)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I never really minded my neighbors whether they were loud or quiet, considerate or not. This all changed last summer. I lived above a couple who regularly had the police or ambulances at their home responding to their domestic disturbances. I could never sleep! I hated it!
1 person likes this
@priyankajudiya (294)
• India
26 Apr 09
i loveeeeee my neighbors....... because she is girl..
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
LOL...that was easy :))
I'm glad you have no problems with her so far.
Hopefully you will always have good neighbors :))
Thank you for your response :))
1 person likes this
@sunita64 (6469)
• India
25 Apr 09
Well I have four neighbors, one adjacent to me do lots of banging and make lots of noise, so I am not very friendly with them. One in front of me is the best neighbor and we visit each other frequently. One is also in front but slightly a far, she is a busy lady and takes classes at home and our roads in between is always full with cars and vehicles. I am neutral towards her.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
25 Apr 09
Well we live in our own house so our neighbors aren't quite that close. Our houses are separated by a drive way. Our neighbors are in their 70's so they are really quiet. They are so nice too. They have become like another set of grandparents for our kids. They give them money for their birthdays and they get them presents at christmas and even brought over candy for easter. We've never had a problem with them. Now there is a neighbor across the street that no one likes. He tries to get everyone in trouble for everything. And he stole our cat. We had an outside cat and he said it was going to get hit by a car. He came over being very rude to us about it even though he had never met us. Then we were going to get the cat and take it somewhere safer since we live in town, but he never gave us the chance, he just took it. We haven't had any trouble with him since but we stay away from him.
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
25 Apr 09
My ideal neighbor would be so far away that if I had a bullhorn and they could
still hear me they are too close...LOL.
I am glad you and your elderly neighbors get along.
It's really nice that they go out of their way to give the kids gifts.
The guy across from you sounds like a real a$$.
Thanks for your response. :))
@enola1692 (3323)
• United States
25 Apr 09
when I lived in an aptment building we had a girl upstairs who would not say hey or anything god she was rude you would say hey to her an she would look at you like you were beneath her an let me tell you once a week her boyfriend would come an they were not quiet if you know what I mean blush blush an to honest i think she was faking it for all the noise she was making our landlord ask her to quiet it down but she didnt but as far as my neighbors here I get along with ok
1 person likes this
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
26 Apr 09
Good Lord!!!
At least my neighbors aren't that bad when they are doing the horizontal
limbo..LOL.
We do exchange pleasantries, but nothing more.
We don't engage in conversation or sit in each others apartments for coffee or
anything.
I'm glad you have better neighbors now.
Thanks for your response:))
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I hate my neighbors! They smoke pot! When they do my apartment stinks to high heaven! Sometimes the pot smell smells like a shunk that was just hit by a car! It is disgusting! I live above these potheads! It isn't fun and the landlord doesn't care! I've lives in my apartment for almost 8 years and I've rarely had good nieghbors! Most of my nieghbors have been noisey and loud with fighting and playing music! Another set of nieghbors smoked so much I'd have an apartment smelling like cigerette smoke! As you can see I've never had many good neighbors!
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
25 Apr 09
Its great that you are close to your neighbors.
Some people are.
My grandparents get along famously with their neighbors (the older ones anyways)
I can only hope for that type of neighbor someday.
Thanks for responding.
@tzaddi (395)
• Philippines
25 Apr 09
this may sound awkward but i hate and love my neighbors..ü
cause sometimes they tend to give me headaches
because my neighbors are very noisy sometimes you know..ü
but not all of my neighbors, some of them i consider friends..ü
you know..it's the balance of life..ü if there's a good guy there's
always a bad guy..there's no good guy if there's no bad guy..ü
you see my point?
well it's just my opinion..ü
it's all up to you my friend..ü
@Tamarama34 (240)
• Canada
25 Apr 09
I hear you on this one and it doesnt sound awkward at all.
I think everyone has neighbors they like and neighbors they hate.
You can't like everyone nor can you expect everyone to like you.
You just have to deal with what life gives you I guess.
Thanks for your response. :))
