all moved out after we moved in. Should we take that personally, deb?

I would pick noisy ones. Once they realize the competition, they usually try to be a bit more... considerate.

(I no longer have my 5000W P.A. system. Just a small 250W thing. Which still can rattle the next house over from the inside of mine. IF I choose to deploy it. It is not like I can keep it set up all the time or anything. So, it is more a 'statement of position' when I have to get it out. Also, I normally would never use it here. It is very loud. But, if someone wants an audio battle... they better come prepared!)

We don't have a noise problem except for traffic. One summer, though, back when the house next door was a rental, we could hear the couple who lived there having sex. They were morning sex people & none of the houses have air conditioning. I was putting out bird seed & filling bird baths around 6:30 or so. It took a few mornings before I figured out what that sound was.

I can't help but be nosey. I have my desk set up by the front window & we're on the corner of a long cul-de-sac so I see everyone coming & going.

or the next door dogs are out as they throw themselves at the fence, barking. I have to walk past the fence , with them barking and attacking the fence and I would rather not.

neighbors. Much easier to ignore than noisy ones 🙂