Upstairs Neighbors Footfalls

Depends on the neighbors. We lived in a prewar and went 1.5 years where we heard nothing, then 1.5 years where we heard everything. Baby learning to walk - thump, thump, thump, THUD, scream.... heels running across the room. We just adjusted and never said anything because at least they were quiet when we were trying to sleep.

Hopefully the carpets will make a difference for you.

Thick carpeting with padding will make a difference, run of the mill cheap stuff will hardly help.

You might offer to help pay for better quality carpeting and/or padding.

It's a problem in many buidlings regardless of age. The problem is usually men (sometimes women) who grew up in private homes and tend to walk in their apartments as if they are in the street; long heavy strides. Having grown up in an apartment with a relative living below, we learned to do the apartment glide/shuffle. Also if people take off their shoes that helps a bit but the heavy thuds may continue to be a problem unless you have a very co-operative neighbor.

Everyone seems "reasonable" at the beginning but once they throw down some scatter rugs, and you still complain, they will quickly get less reasonable.

If you are renting, check the lease, it probably states 80% carpeting. If it's a co-op or condo it probably states 80% also, some building require 100%.

Lot's of luck, and get a good set of earplugs for sleeping.

Nothing beats top-floor living.

Of course, I wear slippers around the apartment too. Never understood the whole shoes-in-the-house thing.

Matt: Me too with the slippers. I take my shoes off as soon as I get home. Into my slippers I go.
City streets are yucky, and I don't want to track that stuff into my apartment.