How Locals Feel About Airbnbs in Their Buildings

Table of Contents

• 1. Everyday Life Disrupted
• 2. The Rent Squeeze
• 3. Noise & Parties
• 4. Community Lost
• 5. Who Really Benefits?
• 6. The Housing Crisis Connection
• 7. Pushback & Protests
• References
• Images Sources

1. Everyday Life Disrupted

It used to be simple: you'd know who lived next door.

Maybe you'd wave in the hallway or borrow some sugar.

but now, it feels like a revolving door of strangers dragging luggage at all hours.

Instead of hearing familiar footsteps, folks get woken up by loud goodbyes at 3 a.m.

It's not just an occasional thing, its constant.

some locals say their building feels more like a hotel lobby than a home.

that vibe?

not exactly comforting.

even small stuff adds up, like doors slamming, elevators always busy, or trash piling up because short-term renters dont follow the rules.

People who just want peace and quiet are getting the exact opposite.

it's exhausting.

it also makes people nervous, who's walking through the halls?

who actually lives here anymore?

safety feels different when the faces keep changing.

bottom line: the "home sweet home" vibe is fading, and thats a real loss for locals.

2. The Rent Squeeze

rent was already pricey, but Airbnbs turned up the pressure even more.

Apartments that could've been rented to long-term tenants are now listed for short-term stays.

That shift means fewer options for people who actually live and work in the city.

less supply equals higher prices.

And for younger folks trying to move out on their own?

Forget it.

They're competing with tourists willing to pay way more per night.

Families are being pushed out to the edges of the city or to entirely different towns.

it's not about "choice" anymore, its about survival.

Even locals who own their places feel the pinch because everything around them, from groceries to cafés, ends up more expensive.

the ripple effect is huge: workers can't afford to live near their jobs, and communities feel hollowed out.

so yeah, airbnbs may bring in cash, but for residents, it feels like their wallets are being squeezed dry.

Quick Look Table:

3. Noise & Parties

Let's be real: not every airbnb guest is here to quietly read a book.

A lot of them are here to party.

Late-night noise is one of the biggest complaints.

Think blasting music, shouting in hallways, and surprise afterparties.

It's not just "a little loud." It's the kind of noise that ruins sleep and makes mornings miserable.

Neighbors end up playing the role of security guard, knocking on doors, calling the landlord, or even the cops.

That's stressful and unfair.

weekends can be the worst, with a rotation of bachelor parties and rowdy groups moving in and out.

Some residents have even described feeling trapped in their own homes, earplugs only do so much.

Instead of relaxing after work, people are stuck listening to someone else's vacation.

4. Community Lost

Neighborhoods thrive on connection.

You know the baker, the corner shop owner, the person who always says hi when walking their dog.

that's what makes a place feel like home.

but with short-term rentals dominating, those everyday connections are slipping away.

shops start catering to tourists instead of locals.

Suddenly, theres a row of souvenir stands where grocery stores used to be.

The friendly "hey neighbor" vibe gets replaced by awkward silence, since you're not gonna bond with someone who's gone in three days.

For kids growing up, it means fewer familiar faces and less stability in their surroundings.

it's like the soul of the neighborhood is being hollowed out, one rental at a time.

People miss that sense of belonging, and its not something money can buy back.

5. Who Really Benefits?

tourism brings in money, no doubt about that.

But locals don't feel like it's going to them.

The profits mostly land in the pockets of hosts and platforms, while regular folks deal with the downsides.

Restaurants and bars may get busier, but a lot of other local businesses close down because they can't keep up with tourist-focused prices.

It feels like the community is paying the price without seeing much reward.

People say, "Sure, tourism is great, but not like this."

There's frustration that city leaders haven't managed it better.

The balance feels off.

At the end of the day, residents wonder: what's the point of a thriving tourist economy if the locals can't afford to live there?

simple list of frustrations locals mention Most:

• Profits go to platforms and landlords

• local shops closing, tourist traps replacing them

• no reinvestment into community housing or services

• Rising everyday costs for residents

6. The Housing Crisis Connection

Locals are clear: airbnbs aren't the only reason for the housing crisis, but they're a big piece of it.

every apartment turned into a rental for tourists is one less home for a family or worker.

It's not just theory, you can see whole buildings where only a few actual residents remain.

That's when neighborhoods turn into ghost towns during the week, with life only buzzing when tourists roll in.

Housing activists point to this as a key driver in why people are being pushed out.

it creates resentment because people see empty apartments while they struggle to find somewhere to live.

the crisis feels personal, and airbnbs are right at the center of it.

7. Pushback & Protests

When talking doesn't work, people start acting.

And locals are definitely pushing back.

there have been rallies, marches, and even blockades outside tourist hotspots.

Some protests target city hall, demanding officials step up faster.

Others go directly at the problem, like demonstrations in front of hotels or Airbnb-heavy buildings.

for a lot of residents, this isn't about politics.

it's about protecting their right to live in their own city.

The message is loud and clear: "homes are for people, not just for profit."

With the city announcing a plan to ban tourist rentals by 2028, it looks like officials are finally listening.

at the end of the day, it's about balance.

people get that tourism is important, it keeps cities alive in many ways.

But when locals feel like outsiders in their own homes, something's broken.

From noise to skyrocketing rents, the impact of Airbnbs runs deep.

and with protests growing louder, the push to reclaim neighborhoods is only getting stronger.

The real question now is: will city leaders act fast enough to give communities their homes back before it's too late?

Sources and References

• Resident testimonies reported in local newspapers

• Housing activist groups' public statements

• City government press release on tourist rental ban (2028 plan)

• Coverage of protests from regional news outlets

Images Sources and Attributions

All images used within this page have been sourced from Wikimedia Commons. They are used here strictly for informational and illustrative purposes.