First time posting here, since I normally use my fb groups to ask Japan based questions. But i'm hoping to get more information from here.
I've been having a hard time finding a peaceful apartment here in Japan, since i've run into crazy neighbors 2/3 times that i've moved here. I also live with a cat, who is quite talkative and active. Our 1st apartment was made of wood, 47yrs old, and located in Sagamihara. It was very peaceful, rarely ever heard the neighbors, and never had any complaints either. I had to move closer to Tokyo for work, so I got a 53yrs old RC apartment thinking that it would be quiet, but I was wrong. A family with a crazy man moved below us, and he antagonized us the whole time. Slamming doors/windows at all hours, and whenever he hears us/our cat. He also purposefully slammed doors in the bedroom between 2-5am. We ended up moving after 6 months.
Next apartment is a 30yrs old RC building. I visited twice at night to make sure that there are no crazies living here, and I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. I've already signed when I found out that it's a madhouse with neighbors quarreling with eachother and starting noise wars left and right. We reported it right away to the management company during the 2nd day that we lived here. As expected, they can't do anything and only offered to waive the cleaning fee if we decided to move within the year.
I'm currently looking for a new apartment, and doing whatever I can to try and avoid having to relieve the nightmare of having crazy neighbors. But no matter how new/old, RC/wood, I hear slamming when I visit at night and stay there for an hour. Even a house we visited had the next door neighbor slamming their doors and it's heard since the space between is just an arms length.
So I need advise. Aside for buying/renting a house in the inaka, or going broke spending 200k++ on an apartment (And no I can't afford that, for you boujee expats in this thread). What am I supposed to look out for in order to avoid ending up with crazy neighbors.
And before anyone tries to blame us for the neighbors noise. We placed cushioning in all doors/windows including the oshire, have carpets in the rooms, and use cushioned indoor slippers. I've lived with my family prior to living alone, so I was taught how to soundproof our own noise to avoid the being "meiwaku".
by 0Bimbimini0