What is the best way to block out noise

To start with, your upstairs neighbor (and you as well) will be required to carpet 80% of the floor. That said, in a multiple dwelling you have to assume there will be noise--music, kids running around, TVs etc.

We have a SleepMate white noise machine that is very effective--we keep it on at night even when there is no noise. Don't get one of those white noise machines that has different recorded sounds (rain, waves, etc) because the recordings loop and you will hear annoying little beeps and blips which will drive you NUTS.

The only way to guarantee quiet is to buy on the top floor. Even with carpeting, you will hear noise.

I think a condo board should pass laws banning noise, and impose fines for those that break it.

IMO, new construction is crappy & sound travels easily. Go for a pre-war coop.

See noise causes stress, and stress causes heart attacks.

Be careful about the location of your bedroom -- contiguous walls, noise outside windows, etc. You will find that you become accustomed to everyday noise in the general living areas. Any thing out of the ordinary can be addressed directly with neighbors. There are always a few horror stories but most of the time, people accommodate the needs and desires of their neighbors. Renters have less incentive to be careful regarding noise so be sure to check the rental policy of the building. You sound like you might be better suited to a coop as opposed to a condo.

can you soundproof your place like a recording studio?

Yes. There is this very effective rubber sheeting that's incredibly dense, incredibly heavy (1 pound/square foot), and incredibly expensive. But your home will be quiet as a tomb.

Quality in new construction varies a lot. But the advantage in new developments is that you can send someone to adjacent apartments to make noise and see how it travels. Also, there are plenty of wall and ceiling enhancements that can be done, but they are not cheap.

i think nycmatt is referring to the greenglue product. But also key is creating a space to absorb the sound.

i think earplugs are $6.99.

Noise is the only thing keeping you from buying in the city? I've never really been woken up by a neighbor. Street noise is a different story. Two words for that: beekman place.

I was going to recommend ear plugs too. What floor do you plan on living on? What street do you plan on living on?

I've been in plenty of prewars that are like bank vaults - the only sound coming or going is under the front door, and I've been in prewars where it sounds like Fred Astaire is tap dancing on your ceiling (Chelsea Gardens comes to mind). Find out how thick the walls and floors are and especially how much air space is in there between the concrete, cement brick, terra cotta brick, lath etc.

@NYCMatt: what's the name of the material you refer to? Do you have first hand experience with it? tx

Bernie, I don't. I've just seen it advertised.

Some buildings were constructed with soundproofing as a priority. Steiner NYC, the developer of my building, implemented many of the sounproofing techniques used at Steiner Studios (film production). Not a peep from above, down below, or next door. But as West34 noted, there is no escaping hallway noise through the door or street sounds from the windows.

Location and demographics may also influence the noise level. For example, noise tolerance levels may vary amongst the NYU/East Village population and the 5th/Park Avenue co-op set. It's a way of city life - you won't be able to avoid it completely.

Don't live below the 5th floor if you are sensitive to street noise. Earplugs suck. They are uncomfortable and not something I would want to use every night. Look into City Windows for decent soundproofing of noise from outside.

Don't reply to the trolls!

I second the SleepMate. I could sleep in Madison Square Garden, but for those with difficulty snoozing, this can make quite a difference. We have two, though I'm not sure there's an additive effect.

As for hallway noise coming though the front door - see if you can get a door sweep seal installed. It's cheap and you'll be surprised how much it drowns out. If you want to replace the door altogether, get thick MDF - also cheap and more than solid enough.

Shoot your neighbors. (Also emotionally satisfying...)

re: new construction = noise.. i say no

it depends on developer layout.. been in a number of pre-war town homes where the floorboards creeeek all day, but not on my new dev bamboos..

re: sleepmate et similar products, what's the point if you can go to some whitenoise website ie simplynoise and just blast it from ur computers speakers... isnt it one and the same and you save $$$?

Those white noise websites have viruses that take over webcams and film people while they are sleeping.

Some enjoy that aspect.

don't watch tv

Don't get an apartment close to an elevator (noise from machinery, neighbors waited for the elevator).

Correction:
"neighbors waiting for the elevator"