Help! 181st Ft. Washington (Before I Spontaneously Combust!) (2011, apartments)

[bumblenbumble]

Let me preface this by saying, yes, I know I live in NYC...
Moved to a new place near the intersection of 181st/Ft. Washington. Love it, love the apartment, but pulling my hair out at the sound of defiant, vulgar, incessant, frivolous, endless honking. It's such a way of life up here...I honestly think it's worse than any other part of Manhattan in terms of needless, extended honking at all hours (but obviously worse during rush hours). I'll take back the rumbling trucks and buses from my old place any day! I can't understand how any condo or coop owners would put up with this. I thought about writing a letter to the 34th precinct as I THOUGHT there was some under-enforced law about honking in NYC, but I figured they'd laugh. All it takes is a no honking or $ sign and a couple of citations a week. Geez.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by bumblenbumble

Let me preface this by saying, yes, I know I live in NYC...
Moved to a new place near the intersection of 181st/Ft. Washington. Love it, love the apartment, but pulling my hair out at the sound of defiant, vulgar, incessant, frivolous, endless honking. It's such a way of life up here...I honestly think it's worse than any other part of Manhattan in terms of needless, extended honking at all hours (but obviously worse during rush hours). I'll take back the rumbling trucks and buses from my old place any day! I can't understand how any condo or coop owners would put up with this. I thought about writing a letter to the 34th precinct as I THOUGHT there was some under-enforced law about honking in NYC, but I figured they'd laugh. All it takes is a no honking or $ sign and a couple of citations a week. Geez.

Ohhh I feel so bad for you. Wash Heights is routinely listed as one of the most noise polluted neighborhoods in the city and I can confirm having lived there for about 13 years.

Now Fort Wash. is actually one of the quieter avenues in that neighborhood but that 181 intersection is always very busy with traffic, mostly due to the GW Bridge.

But a part of me has to ask you, did you not realize that specific area was like that when you got your place? Neighborhoods near busy bridges tend to have horrible noise pollution problems.

[bumblenbumble]

Originally Posted by NooYowkur81

Ohhh I feel so bad for you. Wash Heights is routinely listed as one of the most noise polluted neighborhoods in the city.

Now Fort Wash. is actually one of the quieter avenues in that neighborhood but that 181 intersection is always very busy with traffic, mostly due to the GW Bridge.

But a part of me has to ask you, did you not realize that specific area was like that when you got your place?

truthfully, given the unit is a lower unit and facing the street, i did expect SOME noise even with the broker trying to convince me that "closing the windows" would help. um no, it never has in any other apartment and never will. this unit faces 181st which seems to be "honkier" than ft wash. ...the place is amazing (the unit itself). yes, most of the noise is gone by 9 or 10 PM USUALLY, but sucks at all other times. i'm so jealous of people living in the back of the building. i just don't get how honking citations wouldn't generate revenue for this city and this area in particular. i hear bad things about the 34th precinct.

[SuperMario]

I hate the 34th precinct.

[SilkCity0416]

Try complaining to the police. Also, sending a letter to the PA, could help. I'm gussing they have some sort of HQ near the GW. If worse comes to worse, try to get the city to do something about this. Also, don't forget that the local news can be helpful.

[moocat]

Originally Posted by SilkCity0416

Try complaining to the police. Also, sending a letter to the PA, could help. I'm gussing they have some sort of HQ near the GW. If worse comes to worse, try to get the city to do something about this. Also, don't forget that the local news can be helpful.

Call the 34 Precinct during the day, leave a message for the Community Policing coordinator, they should have one. Go to your community council meeting and speak to the CO of the 34. That's one way to get started. The problem you're describing has been going on for decades so don't think you're going to get it solved overnight.


Calling the main precinct number to complain will get you nowhere.

[bumblenbumble]

Originally Posted by moocat

Call the 34 Precinct during the day, leave a message for the Community Policing coordinator, they should have one. Go to your community council meeting and speak to the CO of the 34. That's one way to get started. The problem you're describing has been going on for decades so don't think you're going to get it solved overnight.


Calling the main precinct number to complain will get you nowhere.

I will. Was thinking of sending out a certified letter to head of the precinct but had way too many images in my head of being laughed at...

[Henna]

Depending on how long you plan to live there and how good a deal the apartment actually is, you could think about installing Citi Quiet windows.

i know plenty of people who have spent their own money to renovate kitchens in their rent-stablized apartments at their own expense because they plan to stay a long time and just simply want a nice kitchen.

:: Soundproof Windows - Best Noise Elimination System ::

[passdoubt]

I grew up next to train tracks, and the trains would honk their horn every time they went by due to the grade crossings... I got used to it. I'd assume if you live at this apt long enough you'll learn to tune it out and sleep through it like we all did growing up. Pretty soon it becomes background noise, almost comforting! (Reminds you of home?)

[SeventhFloor]

honestly though, you have to come to the realization one day that you live in manhattan, so you will always have some kind of street noise to bear with. sorry