Dear gia:

Your story reminds me of my last experience living in an apartment building a few years ago. It was okay until “the neighbor from hell” as I refer to her moved in to an apartment downstairs. She is the one who made noises such as vacuuming at 3 AM. She was up all night washing dishes etc., while sleeping perhaps in the mornings through noon or so. When confronted she was nice and charming but continued the noise during the nights. Later she complained that my noises during the day were interrupting her sleep!

At one point, it was clear to me that there was only one way for me to survive the experience, that is, not to have a car accident or another accident because of lack of sleep and aggravation, and that was to move out. I moved out before being ready to move out so to survive. And so I did.

It didn’t matter that I was in the right and she was in the wrong- my lack of sleep and distress was hurting me and was not going to be resolved unless I moved out. So I did.

anita