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Comment by akira2501 | Hacker News Reader

Every time I see a giant timber framed apartment building being constructed I'm exceptionally glad that I don't have to consider living inside of it. It's fine for your early 30s, but if you hope to be part of the "professional class" then that form of living takes it's toll exceptionally quickly.

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American multi-family dwellings are constructed so poorly compared to other countries. You should not be able to hear your neighbors in a modern apartment building or hotel. Unfortunately since building permits and zoning restrictions are so tight, many MFD owning/renting Americans are living in buildings that are over 50 years old.

The only apartment that I lived in and would consider moving back to was a 1940s constructed "solid" concrete apartment building in northern Minnesota. That thing was built to a standard that is rarely used anymore. The only thing you heard was people walking past your door.

In major cities filled with the professional class - the wealthiest communities in the US, such NY, LA, and the Bay Area, lots of them live in apartments.

What's the most common building material in those environments?

That's a good question: Obviously the taller buildings much use steel or similar, but there are lots of smaller buildings. What's your point?

> It's fine for your early 30s, but if you hope to be part of the "professional class" then that form of living takes it's toll exceptionally quickly.

Why it doesn't take a toll on members of other classes?

Perhaps this dates me.. but for me and my industry, there was a standing expectation that you would stay late and work as hard as necessary to get the job done. Thankfully, labor laws in California have changed since then, but during that time, it was an exceptionally draining experience trying to "climb the ladder," and not being able to come home and experience any sort of solace was soul crushing to me. It literally became my only motivation for a year and half was to get out of that environment to somewhere I could have space and peace and quiet with zero expectations of intrusions or interruptions.

What kind of toll are you talking about?

I don't think they have ever lived in such a structure. They are probably talking about living in a two story light timber frame apartment from the 70s/80s. The walls are paper thin and you can wake up your neighbor walking in slippers to get a drink of water.

These mass timber buildings are SO much better.

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