What can I do when faced with chronic complaining neighbors?

I live in a senior,low income building. I also ride public transit. Both these places are absolutely LOADED with chronic complainers -- loud ones. They have nothing good to say about anything, and go on and on and on. The ones on the transit are on their cell phones and I can hear them. The ones in my building complain to each other. I avoid most of my apt. neighbors. Yesterday there was a meeting where we were called in turn to get our income re-certified so we can continue to live here. Some of us came early so we didn't have to wait so long, as each turn with the managers was long. I was Number 2, and waiting nearly 30 minutes for the managers to show up. There were about 5 people besides me, and all they did was complain, complain, complain about everything wrong in our building. And there are a lot of things wrong, but do you think these people will take steps to try to improve things?? No way. Only complain. I had brought a book to read, but found it difficult to concentrate due to their loud, whiny voices.

Does anyone here at the Forum have a suggestion about how I can avoid to be SOOOooooo...... disturbed by people like them? I find myself filled with hatred and anger. And, just so you know, I do a lot of things with very positive people, and I have happy, cheerful friends. So it's mainly the people in my building and on transit that "get to me" so much, and I'm around them daily.

Ear plugs.

I listen to music with headphones or ear buds.

((((MsMystery)))) I'm afraid the only solution would be to just avoid them as much as possible. It's not easy, since you share a building with them, but I'm not sure if there are many other options - outside of changing apartment. I'm sorry I don't have a lot of advice to give. As for the people in public transit, perhaps you can try to listen to some music, so that you don't have to listen to them. Would that work?

I'm not sure, but one thing came to my mind. Does your housing have any types of social events or the like. If so, could you ask for a speaker to come to discuss the benefits of positivity?