If you like quiet, do NOT move to the NoVA suburbs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to wonder if the countryside is any better. A lot of land often means gunshots, ATVs, chainsaws, and more. The world may simply be loud everywhere.

We have all of this is Calvert County, but our neighbors aren’t right on top of this, so even though you hear all of that, it’s not terribly loud. The gunshots took a little getting used to, though!

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's just more people working from home hearing noise that's always been there. I also think it's been getting louder the past few years. Not only an increase in commercial activities like construction and landscaping, but more individuals who don't respect others' rights to peaceful enjoyment of their properties.

There are some folks here who rationalize this and recommend accepting it as the new normal (and tend to insinuate that those who can't are wimps). However the ongoing effect of the increased noise is proven to be detrimental to our mental health and physical well-being. The current situation just stinks, as government regulation has not caught up and is in some cases opposed by commercial interests. Even when there are ordinances, the police don't always understand them well enough to enforce them.

Given it may be years before the government addresses the issue, I think the best way forward is to measure public noise at a very granular level in neighborhoods, dump it in a database, and allow everyone to access it freely over the Internet. Let folks see for themselves before they buy or rent -- let the market sort itself out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's just more people working from home hearing noise that's always been there. I also think it's been getting louder the past few years. Not only an increase in commercial activities like construction and landscaping, but more individuals who don't respect others' rights to peaceful enjoyment of their properties.

There are some folks here who rationalize this and recommend accepting it as the new normal (and tend to insinuate that those who can't are wimps). However the ongoing effect of the increased noise is proven to be detrimental to our mental health and physical well-being. The current situation just stinks, as government regulation has not caught up and is in some cases opposed by commercial interests. Even when there are ordinances, the police don't always understand them well enough to enforce them.

Given it may be years before the government addresses the issue, I think the best way forward is to measure public noise at a very granular level in neighborhoods, dump it in a database, and allow everyone to access it freely over the Internet. Let folks see for themselves before they buy or rent -- let the market sort itself out.

This.

We didn't used to have lots of people out on walks walking past our house screaming into a cell phone on speaker. This happens several times every evening at this point. I hate sitting out on my front porch to relax and hear comes someone screaming at a phone about their hernia, and just as they get out of earshot here comes someone screaming something about how "they can't do that!" regarding someone's job or something. It's nonstop yelling at cell phones. People are just loud. And they don't care if it disturbs someone else. At all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always confused when people complain about noise. You don't live in the countryside.

If you live near people, people do things. How do you think lawns get cut? things get transported? People do work on their homes?

Ultimately I think there are just some people exceptionally sensitive to noise. I can't imagine being remotely bothered by airplane noise - and I live 1 mile from a major airport.

When my husband does yard work in our yard, I literally barely hear it because he uses a rake for leaves and an electric mower to cut the grass.

In contrast, houses down the block that use a lawn service, from several houses away it’s super loud because they use massive gas powered tools.

There are ways to do lawn service more quietly

[Anonymous]

Our neighborhood has 3 different trash companies coming on different days early in the AM. And then different days, the same 3 for recycling. We have 10 driveways on the cut de sac. All have lawn services that come different days of the week. Tons of house projects being done. Seems like neighbors are in competition to be seen as good home owners, the louder the better, doing yard work all weekend.

[Anonymous]

Like I needed another reason to avoid NOVA. Crap area filled with annoying neighbors.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t noticed any change in Falls Church/FFx Co. Our neighborhood is split between DIY and services. The services are in and out of the 1/4 acre lots in no time, and the homeowners save it for Saturdays or evenings. Leaf blowing is mostly in Fall/early Winter with a couple of weeks of spring cleanup. Trash/Recycle/Lawn pickup is all Friday morning. Most of the week is quiet. I’m teleworking 50% and on Zoom much of the day and have no problem with open windows when the weather is nice.

I am laughing a bit at the PP who complained about noise while living near a metro station in one of the biggest metro areas in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to wonder if the countryside is any better. A lot of land often means gunshots, ATVs, chainsaws, and more. The world may simply be loud everywhere.

Nah, if it’s true countryside you have enough land that the trees between the lots hide your neighbors sounds. You will only hear things if those are your own children.

Not in countryside but suburban Frederick. Obviously we still have lawn mowers, recycling trucks, and the occasional gunshots from the hunter over the hill, but it's certainly not constant. More like an outlier in an otherwise quiet area.

[Anonymous]

Maybe we wouldn’t have to hear so many gunshots in the countryside if our stupid government would stop regulating silencers so harshly. In Europe it’s very easy to buy a silencer/suppressor.

[Anonymous]

There are some folks here who rationalize this and recommend accepting it as the new normal (and tend to insinuate that those who can't are wimps). However the ongoing effect of the increased noise is proven to be detrimental to our mental health and physical well-being. The current situation just stinks, as government regulation has not caught up and is in some cases opposed by commercial interests. Even when there are ordinances, the police don't always understand them well enough to enforce them.

All this is true but is rarely mentioned when people eagerly advocate for increased density and "walkable communities" for the good of the planet etc.

When I visit NYC and I can hear constant activity outside in the street at all hours, OMG it would drive me nuts to live there year round.

[Anonymous]

I live in Leesburg on 5 acres and you would think it would be quiet out here. It is but I hear mowers, tractors, chickens, roosters, etc. All the time.

You cannot escape noise. Maybe somewhere far out in the mountains, but people hunt and planes may fly overhead. You will get used to the noise. I hope you get well soon, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Leesburg on 5 acres and you would think it would be quiet out here. It is but I hear mowers, tractors, chickens, roosters, etc. All the time.

You cannot escape noise. Maybe somewhere far out in the mountains, but people hunt and planes may fly overhead. You will get used to the noise. I hope you get well soon, OP.

Wow you need to get well not op.looney toon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like I needed another reason to avoid NOVA. Crap area filled with annoying neighbors.

I’m glad you’ve taken the time to research all of nova and know there’s no good neighbors.

Good luck in McAllen Texas with your great neighbors.

[Anonymous]

I think people have gotten more inconsiderate and entitled. Our neighbors installed outdoor speakers!!! That they blare at all hours of the night. We live in a neighborhood with tiny yards, packed together like sardines. Who does this???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people have gotten more inconsiderate and entitled. Our neighbors installed outdoor speakers!!! That they blare at all hours of the night. We live in a neighborhood with tiny yards, packed together like sardines. Who does this???

When do they sleep?