I'm exhaused because of neighbor's schedule...what can I do?

Question

I live in a lower apartment. My neighbor above me is a very busy person. He stays up until midnight during the week and on the weekends gets home at 2 or 3 am and his walking around wakes me up. I think he plays sports during the week..that's why he gets home late and on the weekends I'm guessing he parties til the bar closes. I'm middle aged and I don't do that stuff anymore. I'm usually ready to turn in at 11pm any night of the week. I can't complain to the landlord because it's just his busy schedule that's keeping me sleep deprived. I'm unemployed right now, so I can't move. Are there any suggestions? ie. wear earplugs, go to a hotel, etc. I'm quite exhausted and would like to get a good nights sleep somehow.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. Your neighbor has a right to keep his own schedule; he might even have to work the night shift at his job, so try to cut him some slack.

Provided, of course, that he is not doing anything malicious, like having loud parties with tons of people dancing around and loud music. If that is the case, you have every reason to speak to building management.

If you take the initiative to go upstairs and ask him to stop his disruptive behavior, he will either be cool about it and take his shoes off at the door, or he will be mad and make a point of tromping around in army boots.

My sister's neighbor asked her to be quiet after 9pm (!!!) so she and her roommate always wear their shoes in the house and call out from room to room. I don't condone that behavior - just saying that it's a possibility to be aware of.

But seriously, this guy just has a different lifestyle than you do. This is kind of the downside of apartment living and the price we pay to live in the city and not those Godforsaken suburbs.

Answer 2

probably you may talk to your neighbor, in a nice way and let him know about it.you can always start a conversation in a funny way by offering him to switch apartments. use this words if you want to. "hi neighbor! would you like to exchange apartments? he will ask why? then you say; "i just run out of money to buy earplugs and my ears are to sharp at nightime" then smile. you can keep a conversation w/him or just smile. if he is a smatr and considerate person he will get it. if not,try with a fan that makes some noise and perhaps will block the noise he makes. good luck to you!

Answer 3

Ear plugs or a white noise machine those work for me.

Answer 4

Try using a fan in your bedroom to drown out some of the noise and maybe move your bed to another room.

Answer 5

If you are currently unemployed, just wear ear plugs for now.  Really nothing else you can do, besides maybe look for a top floor apartment in the same complex and ask if you can move there while under your same lease.

Answer 6

It doesn't sound like he's making excessive noise, but just enough that it bothers you.  The only thing you can do is get some earplugs.

Answer 7

First, let the guy above you know you can hear every step he takes and that it is keeping you from getting a good nights sleep. Be very polite and smile when you talk to him, don't make him defensive. If he is a nice guy, he may not even know you can hear him walking around. And he has every right to move around in his own place when he wants to. Maybe he'll be nice and just walk stocking foot or with light slippers on. Also, if you have the option of sleeping in another room that isn't directly below his path of travel try that. Some over the counter sleeping pills are another option and combined with ear plugs may help. Another option is come cheap sheets of thin insulation that you could lightly cover your bedroom ceiling with, just tack the sheets up by the corners and a couple in the middle with cheap thumbtacks so you don't make big holes in a rental property.

Good luck and hope you get some sleep soon!

Answer 8

If you are unemployed why not work around his schedule since you don't have a job.  This might help you to get some more restful sleep.

Answer 9

Leave a TV or radio on at night. That sound will down out his noise. They also make white noise 'radios' that do the same thing.

Or get some earplugs.