Some of the suburbs here even have strict enough building & maintenance codes that I wouldn't live there. Stuff like if you don't mow your lawn the town does it and sends you a bill. Sorry, but the function of local government is not to protect private property value at all costs.
Post by ruthie7532 on Jun 17, 2013 16:14:02 GMT -5
We have an HOA, and are pretty OK with it. It isn't very intrusive at all, and because of it we have 3 playgrounds, a splash pad, a great neighborhood pool, and a well maintained pond/walking trails. I was really nervous about moving into a neighborhood with an HOA because I've heard horror stories, but we have had no complaints.
Yep, and will look for one again if for some reason we move.
Our HOA is what makes this neighborhood one of the most popular in our area. We have a gorgeous clubhouse, pool and grill area as well as a playground for kids and 6 tennis courts. We have social and family events almost every month. We do have covenants and you have to get approval to do anything to your house but as long as you don't want to paint it pink with polka dots or something obscure like that it will get approved.
Post by Doggy Mommy on Jun 17, 2013 18:16:38 GMT -5
Yes we have them. Most of the time I wish they would do more. Our neighbors house looks like crap and their backyard is a safety hazard and they test their subwoofers at 2am and generally drive us crazy, but all the HOA does is send them copies of the rules and fine them. They haven't paid a single one of ther HOA dues or fees EVER and owe over 10k, so fining them doesn't do anything.
They sent us a letter saying we had to paint our house and dh was all, "damn HOA!!!". They were right though - our house does need to be painted (it's getting done this week). They take care of common areas (big park, little park, greenbelts etc) and plow the roads in winter. There aren't any crazy rules and they are pretty laid back.
Do most local governments not provide these amenities? My neighborhood isn't the ritziest in DC by a long stretch but we have two public pools, multiple rec centers with sports courts/fields and a splash park and there are community events of various kinds held at those places. Isn't that what I pay taxes for?
I grew up in a non HOA neighborhood and we had a public park with a picnic shelter, basketball, tennis, baseball and hockey facilities and municipally-maintained sledding hill and there were two public pools in walking distance of our neighborhood. Are newer communities not built this way? Or have local governments just pushed the reaponsibility for those services to the neighborhood level so people who can't afford or don't want an HOA community don't have easy access to those things?
I'm singing this tune.
We used to go to the city pool for $1/person. I think the season pass was like $50 if you wanted one. Way less than HOA dues.
Related: do adults in DC use the outdoor pools? I'd kind of like to swim laps outside some time, but I haven't been to an outdoor pool in ages (hi, Milwaukee winter!) so I don't know if it's all just kids or what.
@angryharpy each pool has a different scene to an extent. A lot of adults use them but generally for lap swimming I think you have to go when they first open before it gets crowded. I think some may set aside space for lap swimming at times too--check out the parks and re web site they might have more info.
I think people do lap swimming at Turkey Thicket, but I've never been there myself. I'm a pretty crappy swimmer.
Thanks. The DPR website is pretty meh. It has hours for the pools but no real info re: lap swimming. I'm thinking East Potomac, Randall, or Anacostia.
Do most local governments not provide these amenities? My neighborhood isn't the ritziest in DC by a long stretch but we have two public pools, multiple rec centers with sports courts/fields and a splash park and there are community events of various kinds held at those places. Isn't that what I pay taxes for?
I grew up in a non HOA neighborhood and we had a public park with a picnic shelter, basketball, tennis, baseball and hockey facilities and municipally-maintained sledding hill and there were two public pools in walking distance of our neighborhood. Are newer communities not built this way? Or have local governments just pushed the reaponsibility for those services to the neighborhood level so people who can't afford or don't want an HOA community don't have easy access to those things?
Lol. No. I live in a small town. Yeah, there is a public pool, but it's indoor and not available all the time. There are tennis courts, but it's nice having them 10 minutes away. Public Splash pads or fancy rec centers are non existent. My county is rural and part of the draw of the HOA is not having to worry about my neighbor plunking a junked out trailer next door (a valid concern and something we saw quite a bit when we were looking for a home).
No, and I would probably avoid buying in a neighborhood that had one. Our town enforces cleanliness, yard maintenance, and exterior home maintenance. Cars are already not allowed to park on our street overnight. So the things that count are already taken care of.