How long to give road traffic noise in new flat before moving

[Oakbutterfly]

I have just moved to a new city to study as a mature student for post grad research. It's been hard to find a flat to rent (I am letting my own place) - but I found one in the end and it had a lovely view and in the right location. There was a queue of about 30 people at the viewing and I never thought I'd get it. I was allowed in with about 5 others to view and had a quick look around, and it looked in a good condition. I did win the flat, and was very excited and now I've moved in the traffic from the road is exhausting me. I'm working and studying, so I need to be on top form, but I'm feeling really out of it with earplugs at night and noise cancelling headphones in the day. I'm AuDHD and really sensitive to noise, so I'm kicking myself I didn't think this would be an issue in this place (it's high up with double glazing) and so annoyed as I've had a series of bad luck with housing in recent years.

Anyway - my ask is how long I give it before moving? It is a faff to move - I had to pay my friend to help. I obviously will need a reference from this landlord for the new place, so don't want to annoy them by moving too quickly. But I also need to do my studies and demanding job - and feel like I have a newborn baby atm, waking up aching and my body buzzing with stress.

I've find things like white noise, earplugs etc just add to the stress because they remind me of the threat of the noise, and I feel really spaced out not being able to hear properly all the time with the noise cancelling headphones. I'm on my own which I think makes things worse. I moved out of London because of noise issues.

Any help welcome.

Thanks

[Post edited by MNHQ to remove identifying info]

If you didn't have AuDHD I'd say give it a while. However sensitivities are completely different to sensory stuff with NDs. As you say, things that work on NTs won't work for you.

The issue is, to where? Noise sensitivity means you'll have to be careful. And it was hard finding this flat.

Ha - I'm so tired I didn't realise I've added my name to this post - how do I edit and remove?

I’d give it a while. I’m not autistic but am noise and light sensitive. In the past I’ve either used ear plugs and eye masks or just gone cold turkey and got used to it. Either you live in very quiet dark places areas or you don’t! I made sure when I knew I’d be affected that I avoided loud and light places unless I had no choice whatsoever.

Report your post to MNHQ. There is an edit function but it's time limited.

Is the noise the same in all rooms? Is it coming through the windows or the walls? Really thick curtains can help deaden sound if it's the windows. In fact all soft furnishings with absorb noise a little, so if you've hard floors get some thick rugs, the sound could be amplified by hard surfaces. Find the room furthest away from the road and sleep in there, or try the hallway, close all doors to every room.
If you are absolutely sure you can't improve it then the hassle trade off of moving has to be worth it, so I'd start looking for a quieter place now. Sounds like the flat will let again easily so the landlord shouldn't be too bothered.

Before deciding how long to give it, check the tenancy agreement for the break clause - that turns the question from a feeling into an actual date. If it is a standard 12 month AST with a 6 month break, you know the earliest exit and can work backwards from it. On the landlord reference:: a flat that had 30 people at the viewing will re-let in a weekend, so you leaving early costs them very little, and a polite honest conversation usually lands fine. For what it is worth, traffic noise is the thing we now test at every viewing - stand inside with the windows shut for ten minutes, ideally at rush hour. It is amazing how different a flat feels at 6pm versus a quiet Tuesday veiwing. I hope it settles for you. If it does not, move without guilt - your studies matter more than a small dent in a landlord's month.

Thanks - luckily with the new renters' rights it is only a month's notice at any time.