Thanks everyone for your input. All the responses are very fair and reasoned.

As far as the noise... In a condo setting, I have come to accept the issue as unavoidable. It is simply a matter of degrees. From what I read above, it does not seem so oppressive after all. Having a modicum of solidarity with your fellow neighbors can go a long way in alleviating such problems. It looks like that this building has plenty of the solidarity to go around.

Garyg: I do recall seeing a/c's sticking out from at least some of the park facing windows. I also noticed that the overhang for those a/c's was very minimal. Are those wall units adapted to windows via those bookshelves? Or does one still have to "open the windows in order to exhaust the hot air" as jgmercer describes above?

Also, during the viewing, I saw something very sub-standard in place of a heater? It appeared to be a gas fired unit mounted into the wall between the two rooms with convection fans on both sides. Any comments on this? Does it work ok? Is it even serviceable/replaceable?

We are looking to buy within the building at 264-286 9th Street and would like information on the place ? likes, dislikes, sound problems, condo association, etc.

From all the legal documents we gathered the association seems solid. Even our lawyer (not exactly a disinterested party) said that it is "a nice place with very nice people". We would very much appreciate first-hand impressions (or just rumors) of the place. Many thanks in advance.