When we moved into the house, I guess I had this vision of complete and utter peacefulness. Sounds would be contained within people's houses and I would no longer have to deal with the nuisances of apartment noise: hearing arguments, lovemaking, praying, and television viewing between thin walls.
I was wrong.
There are pleasant sounds in the suburbs. Although it can be frustrating when trying to fall back asleep, I do enjoy the sounds of various birds chirping in the morning. The sound of trees' leaves rustling on a mild spring or fall day is also incredibly enjoyable. Even the distant sound of neighbors' conversations can be enjoyable.
For the most part though, if anything, the "burbs" are filled with constant noise. Noises are like a domino effect. One neighbor will mow his lawn, the sound of loud motors buzzing back and forth as the lawn get mowed in perfect, symmetrical rows. Once one neighbor is finished with the lawn mowing, it is as if there is an instinctive call made to another neighbor: "Hey, you. There's silence right now. Stir it up." Then, the sounds continue to fill the air.
Right now, on a Saturday morning, I can hear birds chirping. However, beyond that sound, I hear the noise of a saw (?) or some other large cutting device. I hear a dog barking. My neighbor behind us has an incessant cough, and right now I can hear that too. There's also another buzzing, like that of a weed wacker or piece of power washing equipment. I can also hear the noise of the refrigerator and of the washer going through the spin cycle. Those two noises are my "fault" though.
Ultimately, I don't think it is a case of moving somewhere "quieter." It's instead a case of moving somewhere in which houses are further apart. NJ has the highest population density in the nation. Most of the houses in the state and built extremely close to one another and, thus, noise is all around.
I need space.
