Crazy Condo Neighbors

[OakLeaf]

Oh yikes!! Trek and Knott, so sorry you're still having to deal with that (plus whatever worse stuff you can't talk about here/now).

Hope the restraining order has the desired effect.

[Crankin]

This is why DH doesn't want to move to a condo.

[shootingstar]

Then what is the solution for 1 level home? Believe me, one does not want to live indepedendently in a multi-level house in the last decade or so of life. I saw what happened to my father, who was healthy (except for cancer) and mobile until 6 months before he died @ 85 yrs. last year. His bed ended up being in the living rm. as soon as you open the front door. He couldn't be upstairs.

Now we worry about our mother- she's by herself in a 3 level house with 3 bedrooms. She'll stay there --resolutely until something terrible happens.

Townhouse at least one can have less maintenance....?
A bungalow is rarer and rarer these days at least, less of them are being built in the cities where I am and have been in the past.

[Blueberry]

We have lots of one level separate homes and condos (that look more like duplexes or row houses) in our area. Some with garages. Some with HOA's that cover all exterior maintenance. Many of them are purchased by retirees.

We're house searching now (looking to buy something for med school that is less of a commute) and we're definitely considering these issues. I've ruled out stacked condos (since I wouldn't want to be on the bottom and I doubt people would want us on top) - except for a well-sound-insulated new building. We don't want a separate house because we just won't have time for the upkeep.

Hugs to Trek and Knott - i can't even imagine how frustrating that must be!

[shootingstar]

I've ruled out stacked condos (since I wouldn't want to be on the bottom and I doubt people would want us on top) - except for a well-sound-insulated new building.

Does someone play a musical instrument/music or?

Life is not perfect in a condo but I would not be interested in the upkeep for a standalone or even semi-detached home. A sister lives by herself in a 2 bedroom semi detached--2 levels. Her home. She has balance issues at times, and now is deaf in 1 ear. She ...is only 54 yrs.

[Blueberry]

Does someone play a musical instrument/music or?

Life is not perfect in a condo but I would not be interested in the upkeep for a standalone or even semi-detached home. A sister lives by herself in a 2 bedroom semi detached--2 levels. Her home. She has balance issues at times, and now is deaf in 1 ear. She ...is only 54 yrs.

We both ride bike trainers, we have pets (including a 100+ pound dog who is with us sometimes) who run around, and DH is one of those people whose "walking sounds" would suggest that he is far heavier than he is.

Some of the semi-detached homes here have HOA's that maintain everything on the outside. You just worry about the inside. They're set up as condos legally, but they look like houses.

[smilingcat]

Trek and Knott,

My heart goes out to both of you. No one should put up with such non-sense and hope that the restraining order will do something. And maybe as you say, she is in early stages of dementia. As awful as it may sound, it may be better for her if her dementia advances quickly. I think its more cruel for people to linger in stages of dementia. There is no quality of life to the person nor to the family.

Something is really wrong with our culture when the "trouble maker" is allowed to go on with their business, while consciencious neighbor has to tolerate/put up with the CRAP.

[Crankin]

We have quite a few of those, too, but I've heard the crazy neighbor issues get even thornier with just one other HOA member.
We are leaning toward just buying a smaller home. There aren't too many one level homes here, and I'm good with that. If I need to move again when I'm 85, well, my kids can deal with that...
There is an over 55 community about 3 miles from here, in Acton. Detached patio homes, with a great floor plan (our neighbors moved to one with the same design in Sudbury). I have sworn I would not move to one an age restricted community, and what's worse, it's on a golf course, not my kind of people. But, it's detached, has a 2 car garage, and a basement that can be finished. Bedroom on main floor, one upstairs, and a huge loft that could be an exercise space. Also, a study and full dining room and eat in kitchen, along with great room. The price is right, but they are almost sold out. I just can't get myself to move this year.

[shootingstar]

We both ride bike trainers, we have pets (including a 100+ pound dog who is with us sometimes) who run around, and DH is one of those people whose "walking sounds" would suggest that he is far heavier than he is.

Some of the semi-detached homes here have HOA's that maintain everything on the outside. You just worry about the inside. They're set up as condos legally, but they look like houses.

Sounds like a solution, Blueberry. And understandable especially with bike trainers. We live near major bike-ped. paths that go more than 30 km. long and connect up to routes, in Calgary and Vancouver. So no need for bike trainers for us. Interesting about the dog. In Vancouver, our highrise condo does have quite a number of dog owners --both big and small. We do see dog walkers with multiple leashes coming out of the elevator..that's how I know about a lot of dogs.

Seems like dog owners in condos and apartments have trained dog not to bark hardly at all or its something else. There's a dog that is in the unit above me. I hardly hear it bark. I don't mind if a dog barks occasionally but not left alone all day to bark. I actually consider ok for some owners in condo building, to have a well trained, cared-for dog....they are another measure of security for the building. I personally know of 2 different people where their dog, alerted a home invader by barking forever.

Also outside the front door of building, is a doggie dish most times, with water. There are also hooks to temporarily tie up dog on leash for a few min. But not for long, because your dog might get stolen. Seriously, this happens in Vancouver at times.

Just make sure you live near a park, it motivates dog owners to walk their dog, get them to go to washroom...and keeps home building clean.

I've lived in condo buildings for the past 24 years...3 different cities. It helps if the condo /strata board has a healthy, large reserve fund and there's also a well-run, reputable management property company that does stuff that volunteer board members don't have time. It helps to be part of a bigger development with more unit owners to share the cost of common expenses for repairs, etc.

Crankin, I totally agree about feeling confined to buy into a retirement community and surrounded by same age group people thinking in same generation ways. Maybe if you're just on the edge of the development instead..

This is why I am a strong, strong proponent of neighbourhoods for multi-generations/families, designed for walkability, cycleability and lower car traffic speeds where key services, shops and transit are within 15 min. walk 1 way. (We won't be able to drive in last decade of life.... and there's more and more of us who don't have children to help. Demographics across North America show this.) https://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com...eighbourhoods/ If surburbs offers all this, great. If not, in the last phase of life, no. It's a huge disadvantage unless you have someone transport you all over the place to do chores, shop for even milk, access services.

My doctor is only a 15 min. walk. Same for dentist..just another extra 5 min. In Vancovuer it's 15 min. walk for each doctor, dentist and another extra 5 min. to pharmacy. The hospital there is ....a 20 min. walk...where I was hospitalized for my head injury. My partner walked home with my busted bike from the fire station (only 10 min. walk way) where the firefighters stored my bike.

Do I mind occasionally, hearing a child cry, etc.? No, as long as the kid is not being beaten up. After all, I grew up with 5 other siblings. You get used to sounds .....of life. I realize retirement communities may provide in house social activities....but honestly for me, I like being and living with a broader range of ages for sharing ideas, etc. The cycling community over the decades, has provided that for me.

My mother will get a good deal for house...when it must be sold. Over 15 years ago, my parents bought into a walkable, cycleable neighbourhood. Public school across the street. Grocery store is just 5 min. walk down the street. Another 5 min., there are cafes. There are bike lanes on their street in last 10 years. They chose this location.....because 2 of their adult children don't drive. So home had to be close to transit. This is in Toronto.