This isn’t a problem reserved for old apartments. I currently live in an old terrace in Marrickville and you can really hear a lot through the adjoining wall – and we have relatively quiet neighbours.
Prior to that, I lived in a freestanding weatherboard & could easily hear our neighbours walking around the their house and pottering in their kitchen – not to mention arguments, music etc.
I think any situation where you live so close to your neighbours (e.g inner city Sydney), be it in a house or unit – noise can often be an issue.