I'm with those that feel you CAN live in an apt. and be an audiophile. But it's a learning process. I've owned homes but currently I rent an apt. BTW, owning a condo can be equally frustrating, same set of problems except you CAN'T just up and move! Some of the best systems I've ever heard have been in friend's apts! Your audio needs MUST be taken into account when looking for an apt. I find that most apts. built in the last 10-15 yrs are simply flimsy. They may look great and modern, but springy floors and wood/plaster walls not only make for shitty sound but you usually can hear your neighbors when they fart (amongst other things!). My apt. is a ground floor corner, built in the 90's, carpeted concrete floors, walls are cement filled concrete block. The only wall I share in my listening room is the ceiling. One of the 1st things I did when I moved in was to fire up the system to a decent volume, and than go outside to hear how loud it was from OUTSIDE the apt! Luckily, it was barely audible! I also got to know my upstairs neighbor and asked him if my tunes were too loud and he sez he's never been bothered by it. Granted, I don't ever turn it up to wall-bulging levels anymore, and I don't listen past midnight (I own cans for that!). I've got to admit though, I don't use the rig as much as I used to. Prior to this I rented a house, on an acre, by myself, in Georgia. Man, those were the days, rockin' hard into the wee hours of the morning!;) Hate to say it but it sounds like you're in a worst case scenario, thin walls and a fussy neighbor!
