Noise level in Townhomes

[car54]

I would think older would be better as far as noise. Once upon a time, townhouses were required to have a masonry "firewall" between units.

Now there is wood framing with some cheapo, supposedly fire resistant stuff nailed to the framing between units. Dunno know for sure, but it seems like masonry would be better at absorbing noise....

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by car54

I would think older would be better as far as noise. Once upon a time, townhouses were required to have a masonry "firewall" between units..

I live in an older townhouse complex with masonry "firewall" between each unit and I never hear any noise from neighbors, unless they're doing a remodeling project with hammer and nails. For some reason, I wouldn't trust the construction methods of the newer townhouse complexes.

The nice thing about living in this townhouse complex, is we have laws/rules which supercede that of the city, which attracted me to townhouse living.
Complaints trigger violation letters along with fines.

Even these loud, thumping boom cars. Get the license plate number and address, file a complaint. Three violation letters can lead to eviction.

Your neighbor starts up a noisy business out of his garage? Well, that won't last long in this community.

I'm a graveyard shift worker and I sleep from 9AM to 5PM everyday and I go to all the Association meetings. I need my peace and quiet. A "free-style" neighborhood would not fill the bill. I want a community which has its own police force.

[neighborhoodfind]

I never hear our neighbors, ever, in our townhouse. It feels so private! I only hear people when they are outside and fortunately no one is overly loud or obnoxious. Ours front and back is open to green space so it feels like this little low-maintanance oasis. We love it.

[bangorme]

Originally Posted by Fleur~de~lis

How's the noise level being sandwiched in between townhomes vs. apartments? Are most townhomes built somewhat more sound proof? I so dread going back to this sort of living arrangement b/c of the noise levels. It is only temporary, so I'm sure I can adjust, I'm just hoping to hear that town homes are not as "noisy" as apts. TIA!

I can only talk about townhouses, but I live in one in Island Creek and it is noisy. One of my neighbors is very quiet and considerate, yet we can still hear her talking on her phone in our townhouse. The other townhouse appears to be a flophouse for middleeastern men and we can constantly hear banging on the walls. I'm not sure what's causing it. They've had a couple parties and the walls were actually vibrating on all three floors.

Maybe the newer ones are better, but Island Creek is a nice area in Alexandria. The problem with townhouses is that you can't control who shares those walls. So even if your current neighbors are quiet, that doesn't mean that they won't move out tomorrow and someone noisy take their place. Additionally, in this area there is a lot of renting, which really limits the influence of the homeowners association.

In short, I would NEVER consider buying one unless it was very upscale, prohibitted renting and had a very active enforcement committee in the HOA.