Neighbor Girls Playing Music Outside (cul-de-sac, how much, house)

[Chris-Kim]

I recently moved to a lovely house on a cul-de-sac in Clarksville and was truly happy.

Nowadays, girls in my block gather on my next door neighbor's driveway, which is right next to my house. My next door neighbor's girl serves as a dance/aerobics coach, plays music with a boom box and other girls practice on the driveway.

I don't mind hearing the sound of kids (I have two kids) but music from the outside annoys me. Granted, the volume is not too high, but because they play music 12 ft away from my house, I hear it in my house, even with all my windows closed. And it bothers me.

I think I have 3 options.
1. Ask the girls to play without music.
2. Ask my next door neighbors (they seem like nice people).
3. Tolerate!

What should I do?

[janetvj]

Is this an all day every day thing, or just an hour or two? If it's just for a short time during reasonable hours, I think you should just tolerate it. You can't expect to live in a populated area and not have to hear some sounds from your neighbors.

[Chris-Kim]

3-4 hours in the afternoon everyday. I don't mind hearing neighbors' conversations, lawn mowers, dogs, etc. But music? That really annoys me.

[curebaby]

I would personally speak to the adults in the neighbor's home and tell them how much it bothers you. There are county regulations regarding noise disturbances. Generally, they will address the issue. Do it in person so that the tone is not assumed. I had an issue with a barking dog in my old neighborhood, and I regret not saying anything and suffering for as long as we did.

[cutgarden]

My opinion only, but if you otherwise get along well with your neighbor, and the music isn't excessively loud, it might be best to tolerate it. If they were hanging out playing music at all hours, I'd view it differently. But the fact that they're actually doing something besides playing video games is encouraging. You might even ask if it's okay to join in now and then, just to get to know the neighborhood a bit better?

I've been in feuds with neighbors before, and it's just not fun. But good luck whichever way you go!

[goindahneeoshnhawn]

Just see if there's somewhere else they can do their thing. Does it have to be in the driveway? Can't they move to the back yard, or the basement, or the garage, or just somewhere where you don't have to be bothered by their gay music for 4 hours a day? I mean, 4 hours a day? Is this person running a business and giving classes in the driveway or something?

[Chris-Kim]

They are teenagers hanging out on the driveway. I don't know why they can practice dancing in the backyard or basement.

[Debi18]

Try looking at it this way, those girls will loose interest in whatever it is they're doing and/or they will be grown and gone before you know it. Tolerating the noise for now will be far more short-lived than the possible lasting damage and hurt feelings you might create by complaining about it. Besides, its going to be too cold to practice outside in a few weeks anyway. You might also consider this, if you complain about their kids chances are they may retaliate and complain about every little thing your kids do, justified or not.

[Hidden Hand]

No matter how you look at it, its noise pollution. If you can hear it audibly with the windows closed inside your house, and it stresses you out/affects quality of living then definitely address it.

These are homes and driveways we are talking about, not dance halls or concert spaces. 3-4 hours on a daily basis is not acceptable.

Tell your neighbor the truth. The music is penetrating into your home, serves as a distraction, stresses you out, is affecting your mood, your concentration and happiness. If she refuses to accomodate you, take it to the next level.

-HH

[Hidden Hand]

Originally Posted by Debi18

Try looking at it this way, those girls will loose interest in whatever it is they're doing and/or they will be grown and gone before you know it. Tolerating the noise for now will be far more short-lived than the possible lasting damage and hurt feelings you might create by complaining about it. Besides, its going to be too cold to practice outside in a few weeks anyway. You might also consider this, if you complain about their kids chances are they may retaliate and complain about every little thing your kids do, justified or not.

I disagree. Life is too short to "tolerate it". How much unnecessary stress would you be willing to tolerate? Its easier to say things like this when it's not happening to you. You don't understand all the circumstances.

What if he is studying during these hours or reading important material? If he wasn't home then it would be a moot issue. We as people have adopted this "tolerate it" mentality and this is one of the main reasons our Country is falling apart from within.

Choose the music genre you most hate (or atleast dislike greatly) and play it for 3 hours at the same clock time every day at normal volume levels for the next 3 months. I guarantee you will be unable to complete this exercise. It will seem and feel like torture faster than you think and will quickly lose all innocence. Nobody should be forced to listen to any type of unnecessary noise pollution.

-HH