It might not be all down to luck, Ruth.  When I moved back up North I rented a flat while I looked for somewhere I could afford to buy.  Although it was built in 2000, the soundproofing was dreadful - you could hear the people downstairs (who were, thank heavens, very quiet and often away) switching the light on!  I complained to the landlord whose pat response was that the flats complied with building regulations when they were built.  I was told by the CAB, though, that they almost certainly wouldn't have complied with current building regs, which specifically included adequate soundproofing.  I can't remember when the new regs came in but this site suggests it was 2003, which would mean your place would have come under the more stringent rules:

http://www.londonsoundproofing.co.uk/


PS

I wrote this yesterday but the site just hung when I tried to post it.  I was then unable to get into the site at any time between lunchtime and midnight; but the timings on here suggest messages were being posted during that time.  Was I the only one who had this problem?

Thanks, Ron.  I can't really justify re-booting (and re-setting all my work-related stuff) just to get into a messageboard.  I should have thought about it after I'd finished work, though!  I just assumed the board was down because I had no trouble getting into any other websites all day.

Inky, is that a 'challenge' or an 'upset' or both? More of the former, I guess. And does this mean you're packing in your doctorate?
Good luck. Major changes in the direction of one's life are never easy, I suppose. But you have so many obvious good qualities that I'm sure you'll find something fulfilling to occupy you, and perhaps a different (or differently prioritised) direction. 

If you're almost there with the MA part (finishing over the summer?), I'd say stick it out, unless that life is so unpalatable that it really isn't worth it. If nothing else, if you have an MA and decide you were wrong to throw in the towel in the future, it'll be much easier to start again, somewhere else(?), than if you don't. But I'm guessing that's not how you see it right now!

I could I guess; my supervisor even said he could write the bloody thing for me if it came to that, but that's not really the point.  Yeah, my conscience can't stand much more of this me not being able to do my own work, don't know how I'd cope with that alternative.

You mean to do maths stuff elsewhere?  Well, I'm not sure.  I've never much given a damn about letters and qualifications in principle, and I don't intend to start doing so now.  I can't see myself getting much more out of this now, and this combined with the aspect above really doesn't make continuing on seem like a reasonable choice.  But we will see, tomorrow.

inko,

Bearing in mind how long ago you first told us about this, you've had plenty of time to think it over, and I'm sure you're making the right decision. From what you've told us in passing, I'd assume that you've already had to face up to something of the same sort of decision in your private life, so I'm guessing that you know already that being comfortable with what's right for you is the most important thing. Good for you. I'm sure there'll be a period of adjustment, but I'm also sure that you'll almost never regret it - though you may have the odd twinge of the 'what if's?' occasionally.
Be happy, inko, very best wishes,

Ron

Wise words here from t-p! Let me give you my take on academe (after having done it for many years!):

a) only go into it if you are utterly single-minded and ruthless

b) always keep a "low profile" in the workplace

c) never (but never!) make the mistake of implying that you are ever in a position by default to give tutorials to students, or to see them at will

d) if you are ever asked to sit on a committee, reject the proposal as steadfastly as you can

e) remain single (throughout your academic life!)

f) in addition to staying single, completely eliminate (or at least minimize) any other commitments whatsoever outside your contract

g) think of yourself as a kind of "monk" following the simplest of routines

h) never (ever!) show the slightest outward aptitude for computers! Always go out of your way to demonstrate complete incompetence in their use - that way others will do it instead in the misplaced belief that "it will be easier and quicker" than teaching you how to do it

i) only ever produce formal work (e.g. publications for RAEs) as and when they are required (that will enable you to do all the other important things you want to when you wish)

j) keep examining duties down to an absolute minimum by proving (as best you can) that you are not sufficiently "specialist" in as many areas as you can get away with.

If these simple rules are adhered to, an academic these days can manage to survive - albeit in isolation (both professionally and socially) - while only working for as little as 72 working hours per week (throughout the entire calendar year).

I've been there - I've done it - it works!

Baz