I’m down in Bay Ridge, and the warm weather brings kids lighting fireworks throughout the night too. It makes me feel old, but this city can be really damn noisy.

And Bay Ridge is supposed to be one of the quieter neighborhoods.

If you're near the main drag, Bayridge is full of ambulances, school kids, church bells, people gunning their engines.. it's pretty nuts. But go 2 blocks away and it's chirping birds I think.

You’re describing a place that isn’t fit for living. As a a parent, I feel horrible for your neighbor. Genuinely curious what prevents people from leaving. Is it a lack of resources?

In some cases it can be a lack of resources. In others, it's because that's where their friends/families/support network is. Or they want to live in an urban environment, just one without as much "urbanish" associated with it. I've lived in Manhattan for a summer, albeit at a time when it was rougher than it is today, and it was a bit tough to deal with week after week.

In this particular case she had lived there her whole life and I don't think she ever entertained the idea.

But many people have one year leases they don't want to break, or don't want to roll the dice just to move to an equally noisy place, or don't want to move and have to pay 30% more.

But I think it's safe to say the root cause is lack of resources.