Neighbor’s loud parties keep reader up all night

Dear Annie: I live in a large city with high real estate prices. This has prevented me from buying my own home, so I reside in an apartment. I have done so for the majority of my adult life. All of my previous experiences have been pleasant. However, the most recent apartment complex I moved to has very thin walls, and as a result, I can hear just about everything.

A new neighbor recently moved to the apartment below me, and I can hear everything that goes on down there. Our building has a strict rule stating that there should be no loud noise between the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Unfortunately, my downstairs neighbor seems to be a night owl, and I have been woken up on numerous occasions at 2 in the morning by her partying and loud talking. I have spoken to my landlord twice. However, this behavior continues.

I understand that you have to choose your battles as an apartment dweller; however, this neighbor’s complete disregard of the apartment rules has my blood boiling. I have invested in earplugs, and a kind co-worker gave me a white-noise machine that she was not using. Using these tools has helped me, but the fact remains that this woman seems to have no regard for anyone.

Moving is not an option for me right now, so I believe I am doing the only thing I can do by keeping the landlord aware of this behavior.

Annie, I am not really asking for your advice. I am asking you to please print this letter as a public service and a reminder to all apartment residents to remember that there are others in close range who deserve consideration. Thank you for letting me vent. — Blood Has Boiled

Over

Dear Boiling: Always happy to let people vent if it prevents an explosion, but I am going to make one suggestion here: Talk to your neighbor. It’s possible your landlord never actually talked to her in the first place.

Stop by for a neighborly chat, and ask this woman to keep it down. Once she sees the face — and major under-eye circles — of the person she’s keeping up every night, it ought to be harder for her to party on as if no one outside her four paperthin walls exists. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com. To find out more about Annie Lane, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.