Will the rats, roaches, and leaking pipes ever stop? (Resolved w/Mod! Updated Orig Post.)

I once lived in a really lovely two-storey (ground floor and below) apartment with elegant wall coverings... and bugs and mice. Then there was the tiny apartment (we downsized to save money that year) that we painted to the hilt and decorated and the water pipes froze all the time and the landlord was impossible. This all feels kinda ... like reality, when you're making the best of that neighbourhood! And for sure, Noisy Neighbours you can't do much about.