Poster #1 got it right.

After 50 years of living with other people, either in house or apartment or condo, I can't get far enough away from neighbors.

I'm sure you have your reasons for not wanting to live in a detached home, so I'm not about to criticize your choice. You might consider moving into a duplex, though, just to keep the neighbor problems to a relative minimum. I've never lived in a condo, though I've lived in several apartments, and couldn't get away from common walls fast enough. I got tired of having to listen to loud music at all hours of the day and night; complaining to the noisemakers and the landlord did no good.

A friend of mine had a downtown condo that was pretty nice, except for:

-The fascist, authoritarian HOA that regulated every damn thing the condo owners did, including the color they painted their walls.

- Noisy neighbors that the HOA couldn't (or at least didn't) control.

- Having to lug groceries through a parking ramp, into an elevator, up 25 stories and down a long hall.

- Windows that couldn't be opened for fresh air except for a tiny panel.

- Expensive parking.

- No place for a garden, or even some potted plants.

With respect to your noisy neighbor: Do you have a HOA, and have you complained to them? Pretty sure most condo associations have rules about noise. I hope your discussion about headphones solves the problem. Personally, you couldn't pay me enough to live in a multiple-unit building ever again - too many annoyances, too many inconsiderate assholes.

Even though I was highly annoyed, I did my best to keep my mouth shut and did not mention headphones. Hopefully he will use his brain and go get some headphones.

I have an HOA and no, so far I have not complained. I think this neighbor got the hint big time yesterday. He knew I was highly aggravated and he knew he was in the wrong. He seems motivated to get along with me, so we'll see. If he continues annoying me, then yes, I will make a formal complaint to the HOA. If all fails and the noise continues to be a problem, then, yes, I will seriously think about a duplex in a good neighborhood.

The condo has a lovely view of a nice pond and is in a really good neighborhood. I'd hate to move, but will do so if things get unbearable. Thanks for your time.

I live here and had my 84 year old mother move in with me. We're on the 4th floor, so elevator up and then a walk down the hall. To bring groceries and such up, there are shopping carts available in the parking lot for transport. We live on a good floor with really nice people. When I lived out of town a few years ago, the neighbors made my Mom was taken care of, excepting for the time when one neighbor got my mom drunk in the middle of the day.

There is very little noise heard from the neighbors. I've had 20 people here on a holiday and cannot hear the noise from the apartment when I left it to meet people at the elevator.

The only complaint I have, is the Board of Directors (I've had 2 terms on it). They are stupid people who don't read/and or understand the documents. They also spend too much money on salaries. We have one maintenance man (the laziest SOB you could ever meet) who earns over $30 and hour or $60,000 per year. While the other 2 maintenance men earn a paltry $11 and $12 an hour.

The noise I have recently complained about is the mowing of the lawn on a Saturday morning. I don't get home from work until 4 a.m. & the maintenance man is out there at 9:30 mowing 2 weeks in a row, which is too often. I was asked when I would like it done and I said after 11 a.m., they said Ok, but he was out there at 9:30 this morning.