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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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 Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:20 pm Post subject: I feel Defeated |
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4 months ago, my fiance and I closed on a house. The neighborhood seemed really nice; the house sits on about one acre and there was even vacant land across the street. The closest neighbors live about one block away on each side, and we thought this would finally suit us as we had to leave an extremely noisy environment. We even drove out here a few different nights of the week before making an offer on the house, to see if it ever got noisy. One night there was a party and it was loud. We drove out the next day and interviewed the neighbors. They said that it didn't happen a lot. We decided to go for it.
As we were closing on the house, we learned that the property next to ours had been sold and a cheap trailer put on it. We feared problems but the person living there is quiet. The other neighbors seemed alright too. We moved in shortly after the new year. In just a few months, things began to change for the worse. The "occasional" party neighbors started partying every weekend. We were forced to call law enforcement. Then a vacant trailer behind our property got renovated and new people moved in. They started having friends over who always arrive in a souped up boom car which you can hear for nearly 10 blocks away. They cruise shamelessly up and down the street, often going and coming several times in a row. The noise is deafening and has caused me to meltdown to the point of shutting down.
On top of that, construction has begun on the property across the street. They are turning it into a park, complete with children's playground, picnic tables and grills. That means more people and noise. The noise from dump trucks, and other construction starts every day off. I can't work on my writing, which I hoped moving out to a rural area would enable me to finally do. Because we are outside the city limits we have to call the county sheriff every time there is noise. Their responses are not very helpful. They keep asking for an address and promising to have an officer come out. Nothing has changed since we have started calling in complaints. The loud car shows up every day, and I strongly suspect drug activity.
I am truly discouraged. We had so many hopes and dreams for this house and now I wish I could leave it for good. I have lost interest in decorating or starting a garden. People are always cutting across our land to get across to the park. We wanted to put up a fence but that will cost a lot. We don't have a lot of money, and even if we wanted to sell the place we haven't enough equity in it to make it worthwhile. We would have to find another house somewhere else and start all over again, just because of some ignorant, inconsiderate jerks. It's gotten to the place where all I do is sit around dreading the distant booming that means that they are coming back. We even gave their license number to the police but they do nothing about it. I am feeling really down and discouraged. Just wanted to vent, I guess.
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Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
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redrobin62
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 03, 2012
Age: 50
Posts: 3836
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for sharing. Hopefully you can get some family or friends to pitch in and put up a chain link fence for you. Should be much cheaper that way.
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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We don't have family or friends, unfortunately. We are both orphans. And being on the spectrum is it hard for us to even make friends let alone keep them. Besides, the fence isn't the sole issue. It's the growing cacophony that we had hoped to escape by investing in this house, and which we are finding that we haven't escaped it at all. Now we are unhappy here. I am very unhappy. 
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Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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SpiritBlooms
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 15, 2009
Posts: 1024
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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This is one thing I like about having a house that is stuccoed. It's more soundproof. Maybe you can plant a dense hedge or put a block wall around the house. You might also try rearranging where you spend most of your time inside, so it's a room on the other side of your house from the worst of the noise, and maybe even soundproofing that room.
We have had noise problems in both houses we've lived. One was near a small airport as well as being right behind a community college campus and parking lot. This one is right off the main street and we hear traffic (which I don't mind that much) and every siren (which I do mind). We've also had party noise from neighbors at times. All the houses around us are rentals, so that problem seems to move in and move out again eventually.
I think what would worry me the most is that park. I once had an apartment right next to the complex's swimming pool and the noise from the pool was awful on weekends.
I hope you can figure this out and find a way to live peacefully in your home. I don't understand why people have to be so noisy! |
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| SpiritBlooms wrote: | This is one thing I like about having a house that is stuccoed. It's more soundproof. Maybe you can plant a dense hedge or put a block wall around the house. You might also try rearranging where you spend most of your time inside, so it's a room on the other side of your house from the worst of the noise, and maybe even soundproofing that room.
We have had noise problems in both houses we've lived. One was near a small airport as well as being right behind a community college campus and parking lot. This one is right off the main street and we hear traffic (which I don't mind that much) and every siren (which I do mind). We've also had party noise from neighbors at times. All the houses around us are rentals, so that problem seems to move in and move out again eventually.
I think what would worry me the most is that park. I once had an apartment right next to the complex's swimming pool and the noise from the pool was awful on weekends.
I hope you can figure this out and find a way to live peacefully in your home. I don't understand why people have to be so noisy! |
Thanks for your input! The thing about this property, is that when that car comes this way, we can hear it nearly 10 blocks away. No matter what part of the house I am in, I can hear it because it drives past our house, then turns the corner so that it is now being heard in the back. The noise is so bassy and jarring that it penetrates earplugs, earphones, or whatever. We have thought about sound proofing but it is very expensive. I hope we can find a way to make this better. We just can't afford to put the house up for sale again so soon.
_________________
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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StaticSigns
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 29, 2012
Posts: 29
Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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I really like the fence and tree idea. Since it looks like you will have to remain there for a while, you need to do what you can to protect your privacy. One option is a row of fast growing evergreens. Relatively inexpensive and grow crazy fast -possibly up to 5 feet per year. Just Google "Privacy Trees" and take your pick...
I feel your pain on this problem... |
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thewhitrbbit
Phoenix
Joined: May 31, 2012
Age: 27
Posts: 2159
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Have you posted no trespassing signs? |
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| thewhitrbbit wrote: | | Have you posted no trespassing signs? |
We thought about it, but it might be viewed as a challenge by the kids around here. I have noticed when my husband is home they don't walk on the property. When he is at work they do it. After all, who ever owned this property before never told them that they can't walk there because it was rental. The only thing that would make sense is a visible barrier and maybe a dog.
_________________
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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noname_ever
Phoenix
Joined: Dec 26, 2011
Posts: 500
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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Put up a privacy fence around your property.
Call the cops on the car blaring from 10 blocks away. They might need convinced to lie in wait for the offender. |
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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| noname_ever wrote: | Put up a privacy fence around your property.
Call the cops on the car blaring from 10 blocks away. They might need convinced to lie in wait for the offender. |
Well, I have already said that it costs more than we can afford. We are already having to pay the mortgage and utilities, as well as having to pay for some major repairs like plumbing and repairing the heat pump. As for calling the cops, there is no local law enforcement. We have had to call the county sheriff, and then hope they will get here in time to catch the moving vehicle that is blasting the music. It is very frustrating.
_________________
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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redrobin62
Phoenix
Joined: Apr 03, 2012
Age: 50
Posts: 3836
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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And you know what's so sad about this? You couldn't actually flag down the noisemakers and tell them to chill. People like that, I swear, have no morals. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I know uncaring people like that can make your life a living hell if they wanted.
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If you think he's eloquent now just wait till he's sober!
His blog: http://seattlewordsmith.wordpress.com/ |
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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| redrobin62 wrote: | | And you know what's so sad about this? You couldn't actually flag down the noisemakers and tell them to chill. People like that, I swear, have no morals. Maybe I'm paranoid, but I know uncaring people like that can make your life a living hell if they wanted. |
You are absolutely right! They might even be dangerous, for all we know. If they knew how much they were bothering us, they would probably enjoy it. One good thing, is that today I spoke to someone different at the sheriff's office, and was able to give them the license plate number. Maybe those assholes will get into trouble with the law.
_________________
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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Apple_in_my_Eye
I don't remember
Joined: May 08, 2008
Age: 44
Posts: 3941
Location: in my brain
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:03 am Post subject: |
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Geeze, what a bad situation. Neighborhood bullies -- some people never grow beyond high school do they.
If you ever move be sure to sell your house to the biggest, loudest, scariest, craziest, ex-felon that you can find. |
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thewhitrbbit
Phoenix
Joined: May 31, 2012
Age: 27
Posts: 2159
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:07 am Post subject: |
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| Apple_in_my_Eye wrote: | Geeze, what a bad situation. Neighborhood bullies -- some people never grow beyond high school do they.
If you ever move be sure to sell your house to the biggest, loudest, scariest, craziest, ex-felon that you can find. |
No offense intended but I disagree with the use of the term bully here. They aren't bullying her, just being dumb. Without knowing more I can't say. Where the police called at 9pm or 2am?
Was any attempt made to reach out to the neighbors? It doesn't always work; but when I had a party at my house I gave my number to the neighbors to call if they were bothered by the noise. |
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hartzofspace
Red Dragon
Joined: Apr 15, 2005
Posts: 7577
Location: On the Road Less Traveled
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:03 am Post subject: |
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| thewhitrbbit wrote: | | Apple_in_my_Eye wrote: | Geeze, what a bad situation. Neighborhood bullies -- some people never grow beyond high school do they.
If you ever move be sure to sell your house to the biggest, loudest, scariest, craziest, ex-felon that you can find. |
No offense intended but I disagree with the use of the term bully here. They aren't bullying her, just being dumb. Without knowing more I can't say. Where the police called at 9pm or 2am? |
The police have been called at various times, such as 1:30 am, and anywhere between 3 and 7 pm.
| thewhitrbbit wrote: | | Was any attempt made to reach out to the neighbors? It doesn't always work; but when I had a party at my house I gave my number to the neighbors to call if they were bothered by the noise. |
Reaching out to neighbors was something that I had thought of. The trouble is that we are so new here that they could be friends with the people in the loud car. We have seen the people in that car visiting others in the neighborhood, so we are not sure if things would get worse if we say anything. The way it stands now, our calls remain anonymous. If the noise isn't bothering anyone else and we let it be known that it bothers us, I am afraid they will assume it is us who are calling the sheriff on them.
_________________
Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.
-- Dr. Dale Turner |
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