it is difficult, but VERY necessary if you want a long lasting floor.

Unless you buy an engineered floor and float over it.

*** "One floor expert to rule them all!" ***

Well, I found out one big reason it is hard to take the old floors up. There's asbestos tile underneath. I don't want to get into that. So, I need other options. One floor person I had in suggested 3/4" strips nailed down on the parquet. What do you think?

Thanks for the previous comment!