and yes, panda, google "quiet enjoyment". it's not a fantasy, it's the law.

Posted by: grumpygirl at September 9, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs

this whole comment thread seems to reiterate the kids vs non kids issue, which i don't think should be the argument.

people have a legal right to "quiet enjoyment" in their homes. bloomberg has even made noise regulations to address this. i understand that children make noise, but that doesn't address the fact that the people who live in the apartments surrounding the child have a legal right to peace and quiet. (and i've often found that the people making the noise have a "learn to live in a city/apartment" mentality that everyone should have to deal with xx amounts of noise. but to what degree?

nearly all apartments have to adhere to the xx% rule, and i'd start by finding that info out and then approaching the parents again. if not, then go to the condo board and DO NOT BACK DOWN.

as for drop ceilings, i've lived with them and can tell you that they barely work and are hideous. more so, i don't think a person who owns an apartment should have to alter that apartment because neighbors refuse to follow the laws or even be reasonable.

you have rights. use them.

Posted by: grumpygirl at September 9, 2009 10:56 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs

dear guy who had his bike stolen,

i love you. will you marry me?

Posted by: grumpygirl at August 20, 2009 6:52 PM in response to Closing Bell: No Reward Is Its Own Reward

and yes, panda, google "quiet enjoyment". it's not a fantasy, it's the law.

Posted by: grumpygirl at September 9, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs

Where has common sense gone... it's not too common anymore I guess...
I raised a child in an apartment over another family, and
running and jumping was not an acceptable form of entertainment indoors...

It's a parents responsibility to set some limits and to gear their children into quiet activities when they're inside... allowing kids to run amok in an apartment is just a sign of lazy parenting... how will the kids learn consideration of the rights of others if the parents don't
take the time to explain why it's not a good idea to run indoors, it "disturbs our neighbors" "you can get hurt" "indoors we have quiet fun, outdoors we can run and jump"... give it a try folks, it really works!

Arghhhhhhhhhh...

Posted by: bren at September 9, 2009 9:16 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs

Thanks to all who replied with their comments. It is just tough for all New Yorkers living in such tight spaces. NPR reports one million more people are expected in NYC over the next 10 years! Thank you again.

Posted by: vesnaspring at September 10, 2009 10:39 PM in response to Running Child Upstairs

Vesna- I had this exact issue with an upstairs neighbor a few years ago and ended up moving. Your neighbors reaction was near identical and we tried many of the tactics here, even offering to buy the carpet. For us, it was two young kids that would chase each other all over the apartment until we'd hear a large crash, crying, and then it would stop for about 1/2 hour. It frequently started at 7a on Sat/Sun. We had a chandelier over our bed that I had to remove the glass globes because the would rattle like a train was going by. The neighbor simply didn't care. I knocked on the door one Sunday at 8a after an hour of chaos and he said he was just trying to enjoy some fun time with his kids and I was bothering him by knocking on the door. It never occurred to him that I too deserved to "enjoy" my time in my apartment. That's when I knew it was a lost cause.
So, we moved after 6 months. I hate to be so negative, but people either care or they don't. Sounds like you have a don't. Btw, I have two kids, so it's not like I don't get it.

Posted by: archigoddess at September 11, 2009 8:20 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs

I feel your frustration. I am writing this after being awoken by the 4 year old running upstairs (notice the time of post - 2:30 am) and have sought the counsel of many people on this topic -- friends with kids (my husband and i don't yet have children), sound technicians, people who were raised in brownstones. Overall, the consensus is generally that while kids need to run / play, there is a need to teach the child that they live in an apartment and that their behavior affects the quality of the life of the other people in the apartment.

Unfortunately, a small fraction of people who i spoke to - including the people who live about us and some who responded in this forum - truly believe that there's no way to stop kids from running. I have heard from and witnessed the parenting of enough people to know that kids can and do, in fact, learn how to behave when given proper boundaries.

I wish I had something more helpful, but from what I've gleaned on this subject, soundproofing is incredibly expensive and much more effective on the floor above (rather than the drop ceiling) and I think it's doubtful that neighbors who aren't considerate enough to put down carpets are going to go for anything re-constructive. and even with the carpeting (our neighbors have some area rugs, but bare floors in other places) the truth is that it makes marginal difference for loud impact noise.

You have the right to keep articulating your concerns -- It sounds like you've done so with respect and understanding. If they continue to be unresponsive, I would take it to the condo board. As someone who has also confronted my neighbors with this issue, I really understand your wanting to keep the good will. I hope your situation improves. After multiple attempts to improve this situation, I am just trying to hang in and remind myself this won't be forever. Eventually the kid will outgrow the running, they'll move, or we'll move...

Until then....

Posted by: ajhope78 at September 17, 2009 2:38 AM in response to Running Child Upstairs