| In apartments, there is a mutual understanding of common elements and that people are living in a shared space. There is also a mediation process through the building management and the board. In the burbs, is is a wild west with no mediation/arbitration process. There is a huge sense of entitlement on both sides - "this is my property and I can do what I want" vs. "you are encroaching on my property/rights and I will complain/behave passive aggressively about everything". Everything you mentioned are issues in suburbs as well - often more so: - Neighbors dog in the backyard barking all damn day. - Neighbor throwing BBQ/party in the yard w/ music, and loud laughing/talking late into the night. - Kids yelling/laughing/screaming. - Teenagers revving cars up and down the streets - Lawnmower at 6 in the morning Trust me, I've lived in both. Apartments have a process to handle unacceptable behavior and disputes. Suburbs are way worse - if you are looking for more private space, you need to go rural where houses sit on large lots. |
Ok, so that must be the difference between US and my country (Poland). Here, there's often just enough people with "fuck everyone" attitude (drunks, depressed people, teenagers with irresponsible parents etc.) to ruin it for everyone else. And also, because the flats are mostly owned and not rented, there is no building management that is interested in maintaining a decent standard of living for everyone.