Sound transmission and perception represent a complex mix of objective physics and individual reaction. Noise can be classed as sound that you don’t want to be hearing.
Of the examples given by Stratalearner, the music coming up through the double brick walls into people’s apartments seems most likely to be specific to the building if it represents some form of channelling of sound. Is there scope for some form of damping to be installed? Noise through closed apartment doors from people talking in the lobby outside seems like something to be expected unless you have a door that closes like that of a bank vault.
Transmission of noise at an increased volume when furniture is moved on a tiled terrace area and impacting, not directly underneath as one would expect, but diagonally across into the lounge room of the apartment below, reflects the efficient transmission of sound through solid structure, and is probably to be expected. One just has to hope that the neighbours recognise that one of the disciplines that apartment living imposes is a need to be considerate and not feel free to move furniture at any time of the day or night as they might be able to do in a detached house.
Stratalearner didn’t say whether the building has a lift. In a new building this should be unobtrusive in operation. Fitness enthusiasts using fire stairs instead can cause more disturbance, especially if they are not thoughtful to realise that the fire-rated doors are made to close firmly and definitely if left to slam, and that the stairwell acts as an echo chamber.
Other noises mentioned, such as hammering, have to be expected and also reflect transmission of sound through solid structure. However, if the sliding doors have to be ‘slammed’, it suggests a need for some form of cushioning.
Being able to hear children running and playing on the terrace area seems part of life, just as it would be if you lived in a detached house built to take maximum advantage of the plot area with a similarly positioned house next door housing lively children.
It would be evidence of deficient sound insulation if you could hear normal conversation from next door or if noise echoing around a precinct of blocks of similar height entered your apartment despite closed windows. The same would apply to a detached house with thoughtless neigbours, especially if sited in a valley.