How to Find a Quiet Neighborhood or Apartment
Some of us love being close to the hustle and bustle of city life. For others, we prefer a quiet neighborhood or apartment. If you are house-hunting, it can be difficult to find peace, tranquility, and the perfect location. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, however. Thanks to CitiQuiet, you can create a peaceful, productive home oasis in even the loudest of environments, as we will discuss later.
For now, check out this guide with the first steps on how to find a quiet neighborhood or apartment.
Choose Your Location Carefully
Unwanted noise can be a hassle and location plays a huge part in the noise that will surround your home. While there are ways to make your home environment quieter, be sure to take note of things that may cause additional unwanted noise in the first place:
- Bus routes
- Bus stops
- Train lines
- Speedbumps (they slow traffic, but they also can cause more traffic buildups)
- Busy Intersections
These are just a few of the things that may be indicators of a louder than average space. Additionally, be sure to take note of the type of community you are looking to move to. For instance, a college town is far more likely to be noisy than a residential, family neighborhood.
Look for External Noise Factors
Like the last section, you will want to check out sources outside the house or apartment that could create noise. Many different things can create annoying noises, not all of which we have any control over. You can live in the quietest neighborhood in the world, but that will not stop road work noise from creeping into your space eventually.
Keep an eye out for the following:
- Outside construction
- Train tracks
- Close proximity to airports or flight paths
- Hospitals or fire stations (sirens)
- Bars, nightclubs
- Busy streets with high traffic
- School playgrounds
- Apartment windows facing building playgrounds or pools
These are all potential indicators that your home prospect may be a bit louder than you may prefer. Don’t worry though, there are still ways to make your dream home a reality even when faced with these external factors.
Research Internal Noise Factors
Internal noise factors are especially important in apartment buildings. A well-built apartment complex with sound control in mind solves most internal noise factors. Just ask the landlord the following questions:
· How are the ceilings and floors built? Concrete floors are best for sound control, but few apartments have this.
· How are the internal walls between units built? Again, concrete walls are better for sound control. However, framed walls made with drywall can be built for sound control if special techniques and sound insulation materials are used.
· What type of flooring is used? Assuming someone is living above you, carpeted flooring is king. Also, the thicker the carpet, the better for noise absorption.
· What is the floor plan design? Depending on your needs, you may want an apartment with adjoining bedrooms. That way, you won’t be disturbed by that insomniac that watches TV all night in a bedroom to living room apartment design.
· Do the neighbors have pets inside the unit? This one is a multi-part question. Are pets allowed in the building? If so, is there a limit on dog size? Some landlords may allow pets if they don’t make much noise – like turtles. But, pet-free areas are usually much quieter.
· Is there a noise policy in place? Apartment buildings may have active noise policies that enforce rules on quiet hours.
Even if you are looking for a house, noise policies can be found in many HOA agreements. The noise policy affects the whole neighborhood and greatly impacts finding a quiet place to live.
Don’t Forget About the Neighbors!
As great as some neighbors can be, everyone has had to deal with a noisy neighbor at some point in their lifetime. You just want to be sure it ideally isn’t at your forever home. The good news is that vendors are legally bound to inform you of any serious disputes with neighbors. What amounts to a dispute is open for interpretation, but generally, if you have had to contact a neighbor in writing or complained to a council or other authority about them, a dispute is declared.
However, if you do find yourself in that perfect neighborhood with a not-so-perfect neighbor, there are options. First, talking with your neighbors about the times when you need silence is a good first step. It is more than fair to request minimal noise during work and sleeping hours, and oftentimes, they will oblige. Additionally, there are city ordinances when it comes to sound, and if they are breaking it, there are actions that can be taken. Lastly, you can submit a complaint to your HOA or landlord, who can typically step in if the issue gets out of hand.
Soundproofing Elements
Even with a noisy neighbor or some nasty roadwork, soundproofing elements may be all you need. Check out some of the soundproofing options below-
Walls
Noise can enter through thin walls. We’ve all heard someone say, “my walls are so thin! I can hear everything my neighbor is doing!” With an extra layer of drywall with no cracks and gaps, you won’t have that problem.
Doors
Doors are notorious for letting in sound. The best soundproof doors have hollow cores that trap in air.
If you’re not sure if a door has a hollow core, try knocking a few times.
Soundproof Windows
You can anticipate some unwanted noises, like when you consider the factors above. However, you can never prepare for every unwanted noise that may come along. And even if you can anticipate all of your unwanted noises, you shouldn’t have to go through the headache of avoiding them or having to deal with neighbors just to create your perfect home environment. That is why CitiQuiet has perfected a solution that can help to create the perfect home space, anywhere, anytime.
Windows are one of the main channels for noise to enter a room. Replacing single-pane windows with soundproof ones can have up to 95% nose elimination with CitiQuiet.
The Bottom Line – CitiQuiet
Finding a quiet place to live may not be easy. But if you persist, you will find the perfect place to live. The tips in this blog will help you find that perfect home.
Above all, CitiQuiet always has your back and is here to help soundproof any new space that you have found. No matter how loud or quiet the space is, CitiQuiet can ensure that you get the peaceful, serene environment that you desire with soundproof windows that eliminate virtually all unwanted, outside noise. Even in your current home, CitiQuiet can help soundproof your windows. CitiQuiet soundproof windows are available in various states across the country, from New York to California. Give us a call today or check us out to learn how CitiQuiet can help you find a quiet neighborhood or apartment every time!