I live in Australia's most densely settled area - about half a kilometre from Sydney's CBD - full of old & new apartment blocks & Victorian terraces. There are several 19th & early 20th century mansions with large grounds in the area, so no doubt they have lawns to mow.

So we don't have lawnmower noise - inner city folks have other noise! Naturally our local council has industrial mowers as we have lots of parks.

The only time I've ever seen a lawnmower around here was an old one - similar to this child's model - used on a tiny front lawn, maybe 10' x 6'.

I've also seen a bloke cutting his similar sized lawn using hedge clippers!

sandra