Respectless, careless obnoxious neighbors...

Hello, first I hope this is an appropriate section, like I've opened with in most of my other threads I have no other forums I visit and used my best judgement picking this section.

So anyway. I rent a small unit in a multiplex with about 8-9 others all throughout, the whole place is about the size of a regular 2-story house, so the units are fairly close quarters.

Now, that wouldn't really be much of a problem if the other tenants were at least somewhat respectful, and just had a single shred of decency, but unfortunately they don't, and pretty much every one of them is a disrespectful criminal delinquent indecent - so of course ridiculously obnoxious - heathen, with many things that I could mention, but the main thing is the truly ridiculous slamming things around, and window, wall, floor and mattress rumbling thumps and thuds that go on all day and night long Monday through Sunday 12 to 12 truly consistently.

I first thought maybe wearing headphones most of the time would be a somewhat considerable solution. But then like I said about the floor mattress etc. rumbling, not only is it all more than audible but I can feel it too, so wearing headphones doesn't do much.

So I'm posting this to maybe get some ideas on what might help make it less noticeable and/or tolerable. Now, before you mention anything like just moving and finding a new place or letting the landlord know etc. I've already mentioned it a few times to him, and due to various reasons I (at least at this time) can't find any other place to rent although I check every single day, many times on numerous sites desperately trying to.

My best idea so far is thinking about maybe buying an air mattress, and maybe some extra blankets and whatnot, all to place on top of my mattresses I already use... You know as like a sort of cushioning/dampening type effect... But I just don't want to go and spend a decent amount of money (especially when trying to save it for a new place) on something like that which wouldn't do much if anything to help.

Gosh, how awful. Good on you for being the considerate neighbor, though.

What about experimenting with moving your bed to different parts of the bedroom where it could possibly absorb less vibrations? And also earplugs can reduce the amount of sound entering your ears without having to use your headphones. I used to use earplugs to help me sleep and they were great. All I could hear was the sound of my own breath. But I didn't have the rumbling issue which you do.

Um, putting your current mattress on a bed frame with legs, off the floor, might cut down on the noise transmission better?

Thank you sincerely for the reply.

My unit is just a small single, maybe I'd estimate ~10x10 ft. room though so with things like my mini-fridge and table it doesn't leave much room for re-arranging unfortunately :/ I did try moving my bed to the opposite wall once though, but that wall is the inside one that connects to the hallway so I can really hear and feel the doors and everything slamming around there.

I do wear earplugs every night too though when I lay down to sleep. I found these silicon putty swimmers earplugs that are actually really great in general, but unfortunately not great enough and even with 3 box fans running (to stay cool and help mask the noise) and the ear plugs in I'm still able to hear and of-course feel everything, and, (also unfortunately) got a small piece that broke off stuck inside my left ear a couple weeks ago lol...

My mattress and box spring is on a metal frame, even tried putting cushions and pillows under the legs of the frame and I can still feel it plain as day just as much as before.

That sounds really awful. I'm sorry that you're going through it.

Honestly, I don't think an air mattress on top of your bed will help much. If you're feeling vibrations coming from the floor, through the frame of the bed, through your mattress... an air mattress just doesn't seem to have the density, I'd guess, to help buffer that.

Given the situation you've described (super small space, it sounds like there's no where in the space to really get away from the vibrations) - I don't know that there's much you can do. Especially as a renter (i.e. you can't do any kind of construction).

Are the vibrations from the floor mostly? Or the walls? or above you?

I've heard of people using heavy throw rugs on the floor to help absorb some of the noise/vibration from below them. Maybe with a carpet pad underneath?

[Edit to add - I've had people suggest that using tapestries on the walls can help with sound coming from the other side.]

I don't know for sure if it would help... but some bedding materials are made so that you don't feel your partner moving around during the night. So they're made very specifically to absorb/minimize vibrations. I think latex could do this (but you might want to check online, I'm not 100% sure). If so, you could look for a bed "topper" made out of this material.

I'm just not sure it would be effective though, since it's the whole bed vibrating from below, rather than someone else, next to you, moving. But it might be worth looking into?

This is going to sound off the wall, but how about rubbing lavender oil on you wrists? It has a calming affect. It won't do anything about the noise and vibrations, but it might not bother you as much? I use if when my neighbors get on my nerves.