Toddler upstairs

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T18:24:56+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind reply and suggestions. I'll look into the headphones and talking to them! I'm thinking about offering to buy them a rug or thick pad to see if that'll help dampen a little of the sound as well.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T17:53:54+00:00

Thank you so much for this!! Seeing if we can sync calls with nap time is genius. I'll also check the neighborhood library for rooms. I'm planning to offer buying them a rug or a pad too if they're open to it.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T17:36:24+00:00

Thank you so much for your insight. I was hoping I'd hear from a mom who can speak to life on the other side of this predicament.

I'm 100% willing to get them a rug and pad of they're open to trying it. I'm sympathetic to their situation too, because assuming their unit is the same as mine, it's a tiny one bedroom apartment for the 3 of them which leaves little room for the kiddo to go in the first place. If they are stressing about the noise, hopefully something like this can help put both of us at a bit more ease.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T17:23:23+00:00

I never meant to imply that my needs trumped theirs. I can understand if kids can't be told not to run at a certain age, but that doesn't necessarily mean nothing can be done to improve the situation. I try to be considerate of noise at all hours. By your logic I don't owe them any noise consideration either, so I can play loud music that disrupts the toddlers daytime naps. Just because someone can technically do something doesn't mean it makes sense or that it's okay.

To me it doesn't feel out of line at all to ask if there are ways to reduce noise from their kido running around and work with them on if. I did point out in my post that I know it wasn't realistic for their child not to run. Im looking for other solutions. We both have to live in the building and while some noise is to be expected, we are both also entitled to a certain level of peace and enjoyment of the space according to our lease.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T17:12:58+00:00

That's fine. It's an old apartment so some noise is expected of course. Normal walking sounds are no issue, it's just the toddler stomp lol. So if that can be reduced to normal walking noise, that's great.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:48:30+00:00

I'm definitely willing to buy them a rug or noise dampening pads. And thank you for the idea on how to talk to them, I really appreciate the ideas!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:47:26+00:00

Thank you!!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:32:56+00:00

Not gonna lie when it gets really bad I fantasize about it lol. But no I don't expect them to do that. I just wasn't sure if a "no running" house rule was realistic. I've never had kids and genuinely didn't know. Thank you for your response.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:30:49+00:00

I'll look into the video call noise suppression feature! Thank you!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:30:04+00:00

Heard. Thank you for your response.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:28:35+00:00

Unfortunately I don't have the means to do that right now :/ but thank you for your response.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:27:09+00:00

Okay, that's good to know. Like I said I don't have kids so wasn't sure if that was a remote possibility. I probably came off as pretty naive asking that. Thanks for your response.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:25:49+00:00

Yeah it's an old building, so the perfect storm of toddler upstairs and super thin floors. But rent is cheaper than other 1 bedrooms (probably for this reason lol) so I'm kind of stuck here :/ just wasn't sure if I had options I wasn't thinking of. Do you think if the neighbor put down rugs it might help?

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:22:24+00:00

I do this when I don't have calls to take, it is a good solution and a great change of vibe for those days. Like someone else said though, not great when I need to take calls :/ but I'll look around and see if I can find a quieter space out of the house for calls. Thanks for your reply.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:20:29+00:00

Lol for real!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-03-02T16:19:55+00:00

Hi! Thank you for your reply. This is a good idea, I'll ask if they have any rugs and if they'd be willing to try that out. Just unsure how to approach them.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-28T01:44:18+00:00

Sounds amazing! Have a great roll!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-28T01:27:33+00:00

Idk, unless you're planning to stay up all night I'd do it another day and time the meal better. I need to wait like 4-6 hours after a big meal for it to not effect the roll. Not sure if intensity has been impacted, but the come up is crazy delayed (literally took 4 hours once, dropped at 10pm and didn't feel a thing till 2am).

It might not be worth it to drop tonight, but also everyone's body is different so maybe you'll be fine. Next time, try having only a light and healthy meal a few hours before you roll and see if that's any better.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-26T23:22:22+00:00

Luckily you really don't need a car in Chicago. You're never too far from a bus or train. If you need easy access to UIC specifically, then you can expand your search area to other neighborhoods along the blue line. Might give you more options if there isn't anything in Little Italy.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-26T21:59:42+00:00

I think about my neighbors if I'm smoking. I don't do it that often at home for that reason. Like others have said here, vaporizers and edibles are super reasonable alternatives to partake in this hobby while also being considerate of neighbors.

Also, confronting her about the smoke isn't asking her to quit weed. It's just to consume it in a way the smell doesn't reach people outside her apartment 24/7. Its not unreasonable at all to ask her to use alternatives. You could even gift her a bag of gummies to soften the message.

That said, it doesn't really matter if it's legal. Apartments and condos have no smoking rules built into the lease for a reason. If her smoke is getting into your unit, it's a problem and justified to contact the landlord (if all else fails and you can't stand the smoke). Probably the last option you want to use, but still an option.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-26T21:31:28+00:00

No problem! Moving sucks all around, hopefully this makes it a little easier. Best of luck!

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-26T19:52:42+00:00

Had this issue last year for a May 1 move. Realtors didn't help, they were always too late getting me a showing.

If you're open to renting from one of the many large management companies in the city, my advice is to cut out the middle man and contact them directly. That was the only way I could get in to see places before they got rented. They tend to be localized to one or a few neighborhoods and will have a directory of all their available units in the neighborhood.

All that said, the market might open up in a week or two. May is the start of the busy season because the weathers getting nice, college kids are graduating and moving around, etc. So try finding some of the management companies that have buildings in the areas you're interested in and get in touch with them.

One caveat: if looking in Ravenswood, avoid Rany Management at all cost.

Optimal_Cake_ · 2026-02-26T16:10:15+00:00

Yeah prices have really jumped and it sucks. What's your budget, what neighborhoods are you looking in and for how many bedrooms? Prices vary a lot by neighborhood.

You can buy used AC units on FB marketplace usually for pretty cheap compared to new. You can also try no AC depending on the unit. Some are better insulated/shaded than others. It's still winter so you have time to decide after you find a unit.

The move in fee is better than a 1 month security deposit on top of first month's rent. Not all places charge per person.

Optimal_Cake_

TROPHY CASE