Living in an apartment building

NightTimeForever

NightTimeForever

Well-known member
So, I've been living in an apartment building for about two months now, and I don't have a job anymore. I'm not sure if it's my social anxiety, but I just can't focus with all the constant yammering in the parking lot below (and the street facing the apt building). Not only that, but such external noises really invite negative emotions, at least for me. I'm afrad the laughing or casual chatting is about me, even though I have no proof. That probably sounds paranoid, but I know I have extreme social anxiety, so it is hard to differentiate between the two at times. Anyway, does anyone else have any similar experiences?
 
mattbarneswillkillu

mattbarneswillkillu

Well-known member
Yea apt's suck. I lived upstairs last year and the tenants below always used to throw parties or play games outside. I wanted to leave but they'd ask me 2 play or party/drink or whatever like everyday. i told them not today or no thanks at least 3-4 times/week. I moved since then, but yea that was annoying.
 
BlueDays

BlueDays

1
Are you able to move out as soon as possible?
I lived in one for 6 months (I got out as soon as I was able to)
Nearly sent me stark raving mad.::(:
I swore I would never live in anything like it ever again. Loud music/fights all hours of the night/early morning on one side, and the couple on the other side regularly made porn movies until 2:00am.:rolleyes:
 
WeirdyMcGee

WeirdyMcGee

Well-known member
I've lived in apartment buildings my entire life, so I'm quite used to it.
It's hard with paranoia- you have to constantly think of distractions so that you don't go crazy from all of the constant noise; wondering if people could be whispering about you.

I guarantee you- they aren't, though.

If you need earplugs to sleep, they are cheap and effective.
One thing I used to do was play music- just have the radio on fairly low, but loud enough to block out noise from outside.
Also-- in summer time, a fan can be an effective tool for both keeping cool and blocking out sound.

There are also the apartment building smells, especially around dinner time if you live in the city.
You could either get used to it or cover up the smells...
I can suggest 2 ways to cover the smells.
1 - get air fresheners, potpourri, incense and place them around the apartment. Be careful with liquid air fresheners though because they can sometimes attract ants/fruit flies and other things that are hard to get rid of.
2 - bake often.
Baking can be cost effective if you know what to make.
Fresh bread is something that takes talent and experience to make correctly but you'll never have to buy bread at the store and the smell from baking will drown out any other smells around for a couple of days.

I just got used to it, though.
I guess sound is your biggest concern and all you can really do is distract yourself with activities and maybe try some affirmation exercises on a daily basis; telling yourself good things about yourself may just help with your paranoia and boost your self esteem.
 
NightTimeForever

NightTimeForever

Well-known member
BlueDays said:
Are you able to move out as soon as possible?
I lived in one for 6 months (I got out as soon as I was able to)
Nearly sent me stark raving mad.::(:
I swore I would never live in anything like it ever again. Loud music/fights all hours of the night/early morning on one side, and the couple on the other side regularly made porn movies until 2:00am.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I'm not sure when I can find another place, my financial situation is a little rickety at the moment, what would be worse would be if I moved back home!::p:

WeirdyMcGee said:
I've lived in apartment buildings my entire life, so I'm quite used to it.
It's hard with paranoia- you have to constantly think of distractions so that you don't go crazy from all of the constant noise; wondering if people could be whispering about you.

I guarantee you- they aren't, though.

If you need earplugs to sleep, they are cheap and effective.
One thing I used to do was play music- just have the radio on fairly low, but loud enough to block out noise from outside.
Also-- in summer time, a fan can be an effective tool for both keeping cool and blocking out sound.

There are also the apartment building smells, especially around dinner time if you live in the city.
You could either get used to it or cover up the smells...
I can suggest 2 ways to cover the smells.
1 - get air fresheners, potpourri, incense and place them around the apartment. Be careful with liquid air fresheners though because they can sometimes attract ants/fruit flies and other things that are hard to get rid of.
2 - bake often.
Baking can be cost effective if you know what to make.
Fresh bread is something that takes talent and experience to make correctly but you'll never have to buy bread at the store and the smell from baking will drown out any other smells around for a couple of days.

I just got used to it, though.
I guess sound is your biggest concern and all you can really do is distract yourself with activities and maybe try some affirmation exercises on a daily basis; telling yourself good things about yourself may just help with your paranoia and boost your self esteem.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions--and I mainly use AC + fans to block out the noise. Smells aren't too bad--accept from the trash piling up in my apt that I refuse to take out because I don't want to run into anyone from the building (the dumpster is in the parking lot). Although I've been dumping the garbage at the local parts.

You do bring up something interesting about air fresheners, some scents have been proven to boost mood, maybe I could try something like that. Affirmations exercises might do me some good, but I wouldn't know where to start. Doing a search on google couldn't hurt, I'm sure!
 
Invisibleman

Invisibleman

Well-known member
Ive lived in a house my whole live and to be completely honest I would probably love the sound,I just think maybe I wouldnt feel so alone::(:
 
Richey

Richey

Well-known member
how are you going with your income, make sure you keep a swift budget until you find some extra income, perhaps even grow some food if you have a mini garden bed outside if possible ...i know that losing a job whilst being on a lease can be really difficult to deal with so good luck! and try to enjoy the challenge. ...
 
Sprunk

Sprunk

Well-known member
i have lived in an apartment for a while now and i love it.Though i am in a building where you don't really hear much noise from the neighbors which is good.
 
mikebird

mikebird

Banned
10 years ago
there were no screaming kids here
and there weren't, just one year ago
These paper-thin walls were not made for breeding
but foreign slummers flock here to expand their household
with no other goal in mind

I'm looking forward to winter
so the windows can be closed
so the rotation of one SUV tyre on gravel doesn't sound like an explosion next to my ear
 
kilojoule

kilojoule

1
I lived in an apt for a year and I hated it. I felt so miserable and alone. It made meeting people even more daunting because it became an even bigger deal! Also studies show that people who live in apartments are more likely to suffer from depression. When I read that I set about finding a house and quick! Now I share a house and it's the best scenario because my SA has improved phenomenally and I feel much happier. Highly recommend it
 
EscapeArtist

EscapeArtist

Well-known member
I don't, but I do live in the upstairs of a house with 2 people in the downstairs, and also the landlord nextdoor with a few loud families living there, houses are close together and they can see me through my window from theirs. It feels like very close living and it is very, very tough. Do not underestimate the effect this can have on your health! I hope you find some ways to make yourself feel safe at home despite it
 
JamesSmith

JamesSmith

Well-known member
Interesting. My goal has been to get into an apartment. I'm still living at mommy's house.

As for the loneliness, that is a concern of mine, and I may be forced to hang out with my old friends, which seems like a huge mountain to be climbed, if possible. I've got a couple years to figure that out, cuz i'm planning on staying here for a while. Taking advantage of free rent right now.
 
BlueDays

BlueDays

1
JamesSmith said:
Interesting. My goal has been to get into an apartment. I'm still living at mommy's house.

As for the loneliness, that is a concern of mine, and I may be forced to hang out with my old friends, which seems like a huge mountain to be climbed, if possible. I've got a couple years to figure that out, cuz i'm planning on staying here for a while. Taking advantage of free rent right now.
Click to expand...

I always envied people who can live with their parents without being charged money. My mum charged me a board and lodging fee to live at home as soon as I was old enough to work.
 
Metal_isthe_Answer

Metal_isthe_Answer

Well-known member
Sprunk said:
i have lived in an apartment for a while now and i love it.Though i am in a building where you don't really hear much noise from the neighbors which is good.
Click to expand...

As soon as i pay my off car im heading to the apartment complax where my mom lives, i had to stay the night many times with her when i still had out patient rehab and never had even a fraction of the situations im reading here.

Hpefully i get the job i applied for cause right now i only bring home about 1,200 a month (and thats a full time 40 hour a week job) the new once wont have an amazing paycheck, but a raise is a raise, maybe about 400-500 a month so thats good
 
corvax

corvax

Member
I just moved into an apartment for the first time a few days ago, and I love it so far. It's very quiet here and most of the people who live here are middle-aged or older anyway, so I don't have any obnoxious noise hassling me. If I want activity, I can just step out the door into the heart of Manhattan anyway.

That being said, I can understand the frustration other posters have voiced with apartment living. I lived in a college dorm last year, and the noise drove me crazy. It also made me feel worse about myself because I could hear people having fun while I was failing at the whole making-friends thing, thanks to crippling shyness.
 
NightTimeForever

NightTimeForever

Well-known member
Don't get me wrong, there are times when I love living in an apartment, but other times my social phobia related paranoia gets the better of me. For instance, I was walking up to my apartment and I heard a girl yelling about something (the window was open as a fan was inside it), and I automatically thought it concerned me. I can't express how much I hate loud and obnoxious people, and I know that represents a flaw on my part. I'm 26 and already feel like an old man.
 
coyote

coyote

Well-known member
one thing i learned the hard way

try not to put your headboard against the same wall that your neighbors put theirs against
 
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