by Oregon – In a typical urban apartment struggle, a resident in Oregon has taken an unusual and petty approach to combat persistent noise disturbances from an upstairs neighbor. Facing sleepless nights due to early morning stomping and loud sounds, this individual has chosen to reply in kind — by generating their own significant noise to counter the disturbance.
With city living becoming increasingly challenging due to thin walls and insufficient soundproofing in many apartments, noise conflicts between neighbors have surged. This particular case, shared on the popular Reddit community r/ApartmentLiving, reveals an inventive yet contentious fight backed by loud music played strategically to disrupt the noisy upstairs tenant.
A Creative and Petty Noise Retaliation
The original poster, known as notfurlong69, described months of disturbed sleep caused by their upstairs neighbor’s noise between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.. To regain control of their peace, this Oregon resident constructed a makeshift “Jenga tower” from boxes to place a large speaker directly against the ceiling — essentially the neighbor’s floor — to emit loud music as a form of noise cancellation.
Details of this home sound system reveal that the speaker cost approximately $125, likely purchased with this noise battle in mind. Despite this, notfurlong69 maintains some measured discretion and only blasts music when the upstairs noise escalates beyond ordinary living sounds, such as walking.
- The speaker plays a diverse range of music genres including Taylor Swift, Mastodon, Slayer, deadmau5, and Bring Me The Horizon (BMTH).
- The upstairs neighbor has retaliated by intentionally stomping their feet louder in response.
- The noise war persists with tensions heightened between the two parties.
“I’m not trying to be a jerk, but after not sleeping for months, this was the only way to teach them a lesson,” expressed notfurlong69 in the Reddit post.
Community Suggestions and Apartment Sound Issues
Reddit users quickly weighed in with both humorous and practical advice. One notable comment came from MomLovesMeBest, suggesting, “Don’t forget to get a massage gun and accidentally massage the ceiling!” — a playful jab at the ongoing noise battle.
Others underscored the broader issue. A user named Laylasita highlighted that many modern apartments have minimal soundproofing, often just wood between floors instead of concrete, exacerbating noise problems. This user recommended:
- Seeking housing options such as townhouses, duplexes, or top-floor apartments to minimize noise disturbances.
- Acknowledging the commonality of noise conflicts in current apartment living due to construction cost-cutting.
“ALL APARTMENTS are like this now. They only have wood between floors, unlike the old days when it was concrete. If you move, move into a townhouse or a duplex, or be on the top floor.”
Ongoing Tensions and Hope for Resolution
The noise conflict has escalated beyond simple annoyance. notfurlong69 revealed that the neighbors have grown desperate, even attempting assault in the fraught situation. Fortunately, the resident has nine months left on their lease, but the continuing discord underscores significant frustrations in urban apartment living.
For additional details about this noise war and community reactions, visit the original report.
Living Amidst Noise: What Can Tenants Do?
This case highlights the struggle many tenants face regarding noise pollution, especially in buildings with thin walls and floors. While fighting noise fire with fire may feel satisfying, it often escalates conflicts. Some constructive tips for tenants experiencing similar issues include:
- Documenting noise disturbances and communicating politely with neighbors.
- Using white noise machines or earplugs to improve sleep quality.
- Exploring building management or landlord intervention if noise exceeds acceptable levels.
- Considering relocation to better soundproofed dwellings when possible.
What do you think about this creative noise feud in Oregon? Have you ever dealt with noisy neighbors in an apartment? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
