I'm in a no-HOA neighborhood in Cook County IL that is considered "good" (10/10 on Great Schools) and from my kitchen window I can see the following:
Work van parked in front of my house advertising "FURNICE REPAIR". It has been there on and off for almost 10 years.
One house with 6+ cars in yard/driveway
Two houses with foot-tall grass/weeds
One house with bushes so overgrown you cannot see the house
One house with falling-over fence that has "F*CK TRUMP" spraypainted on it
and one where "artists" live who have filled their entire front yard with flamingos and broken pottery.
The rest of the houses are pristine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

Yes... There was some notice about some neighbors apparently trying to get together with others in the community to see if.. there is enough interest to start an HOA or some sort of neighborhood standards association. It is possible if there are enough people who want it from what I understand. Not necessarily easy to do, but not impossible either. Am I wrong?

Of course there was enough flaming for the simple reason of possible extra measly HOA fee.. They didn't even mention the real problem - not being able to afford to keep up certain appearances, like changing fences or landscaping or hiring professionals or not storing stuff in driveways or carports, etc. Also, the premise of HOA, they way it was getting sold is "community building and safety", nobody is obtuse enough like one of the entitled posters here to publicly say anything about keeping up certain standard of appearances.

I can 100% guarantee that the person posting these bizarre anti-HOA screeds is absolutely the reason that HOAs exist. I’m sure that they have many interesting “collections” on their property and a wildly overgrown front yard “for the insects.”

I’ll put $50 on them describing themselves as ”spiritual.”

I can 100% guarantee that the creator of this thread and the entitled commenter is a disappointed buyer of an overpriced new build in a middle class neighborhood next to old houses hoping that they will turn around and chain link fences and messy carports will be gone, but it's taking so long..what to do? New houses are popping up more and more in areas where people with much more modest means used to live and still do. Prudent to assume people will continue living they way they used to. GL with the HOA, not going to happen.

As far as grass vs. natural lawns, it's preference. Some very expensive homes you cannot afford have them, not because they cannot pay for the landscaper, but because it's a personal preference and it's in these days. You just have more pedestrian...tastes.

I’d love to take over an HOA in some wannabe Stepford community and outright ban non-native plants (including lawns) and all electric and gas powered lawn equipment (to cut down on the noise pollution). Get these rich, entitled layabouts out there with a good ole fashioned rake.

Anonymous wrote:Huh, my HOA threw cleanup events and parties. Kept all the layabouts in line as well by ensuring they spent some of their trust fund on lawn care.

But you already have an HOA, so everyone who lives there understands the rules and agrees to abide by purchasing the property or renting it. This is a big diff. You cannot tell any layabouts in areas without HOA what to do unless they violate some county codes. People who live in HOA communities are self-selecting bunch already, it's why they work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

Yes... There was some notice about some neighbors apparently trying to get together with others in the community to see if.. there is enough interest to start an HOA or some sort of neighborhood standards association. It is possible if there are enough people who want it from what I understand. Not necessarily easy to do, but not impossible either. Am I wrong?

Of course there was enough flaming for the simple reason of possible extra measly HOA fee.. They didn't even mention the real problem - not being able to afford to keep up certain appearances, like changing fences or landscaping or hiring professionals or not storing stuff in driveways or carports, etc. Also, the premise of HOA, they way it was getting sold is "community building and safety", nobody is obtuse enough like one of the entitled posters here to publicly say anything about keeping up certain standard of appearances.

I can 100% guarantee that the person posting these bizarre anti-HOA screeds is absolutely the reason that HOAs exist. I’m sure that they have many interesting “collections” on their property and a wildly overgrown front yard “for the insects.”

I’ll put $50 on them describing themselves as ”spiritual.”

I can 100% guarantee that the creator of this thread and the entitled commenter is a disappointed buyer of an overpriced new build in a middle class neighborhood next to old houses hoping that they will turn around and chain link fences and messy carports will be gone, but it's taking so long..what to do? New houses are popping up more and more in areas where people with much more modest means used to live and still do. Prudent to assume people will continue living they way they used to. GL with the HOA, not going to happen.

As far as grass vs. natural lawns, it's preference. Some very expensive homes you cannot afford have them, not because they cannot pay for the landscaper, but because it's a personal preference and it's in these days. You just have more pedestrian...tastes.

Huh, my HOA threw cleanup events and parties. Kept all the layabouts in line as well by ensuring they spent some of their trust fund on lawn care.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

Yes... There was some notice about some neighbors apparently trying to get together with others in the community to see if.. there is enough interest to start an HOA or some sort of neighborhood standards association. It is possible if there are enough people who want it from what I understand. Not necessarily easy to do, but not impossible either. Am I wrong?

Of course there was enough flaming for the simple reason of possible extra measly HOA fee.. They didn't even mention the real problem - not being able to afford to keep up certain appearances, like changing fences or landscaping or hiring professionals or not storing stuff in driveways or carports, etc. Also, the premise of HOA, they way it was getting sold is "community building and safety", nobody is obtuse enough like one of the entitled posters here to publicly say anything about keeping up certain standard of appearances.

I can 100% guarantee that the person posting these bizarre anti-HOA screeds is absolutely the reason that HOAs exist. I’m sure that they have many interesting “collections” on their property and a wildly overgrown front yard “for the insects.”

I’ll put $50 on them describing themselves as ”spiritual.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

Yes... There was some notice about some neighbors apparently trying to get together with others in the community to see if.. there is enough interest to start an HOA or some sort of neighborhood standards association. It is possible if there are enough people who want it from what I understand. Not necessarily easy to do, but not impossible either. Am I wrong?

Of course there was enough flaming for the simple reason of possible extra measly HOA fee.. They didn't even mention the real problem - not being able to afford to keep up certain appearances, like changing fences or landscaping or hiring professionals or not storing stuff in driveways or carports, etc. Also, the premise of HOA, they way it was getting sold is "community building and safety", nobody is obtuse enough like one of the entitled posters here to publicly say anything about keeping up certain standard of appearances.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

I rented a house in a non hoa neighborhood before I bought my first house and that experience made me pro hoa. Just the rules about trash convinced me. Neighbors in the non hoa neighborhood would put out trash in plastic bags or grocery bags and rats and other vermin were common. You couldn't walk at night without running in to them. In my hoa neighborhood we have to use bins and keep the trash cans in our garages on days when trash is not collected. Lots of homeowners want to keep them outside their homes, but racoons etc can get in them. It helps keep down the vermin population and I am all for that.

We also had next door neighbors who wouldn't mow their lawn until it was knee high. That did encourage vermin.

Most hoas aren't truly nitpicky, other than Burke Centre.

I haven't see the trash situation in any non HOA neighborhood, not sure what you are talking about. It's a rule everywhere to use bins, even in the city and in our non-HOA suburban commuity too. Sounds like your neighborhood might have had other problems or country rules were not enforced. I think ppl get penalized for leaving garbage in bags on a sidewalk here. Maybe you were in NYC? That's common there

As far as weeds and lawns, the fashions and rules are changing. What you consider weeds are wild plants and local flower for pollinators and they do tend to grow high sometimes. Even poshest 3-4mil mcMansions in my area have embraced them and now make it a point to plant these in clumps and create little gardens, I love it personally and applaud them.. so you are behind the times.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

I rented a house in a non hoa neighborhood before I bought my first house and that experience made me pro hoa. Just the rules about trash convinced me. Neighbors in the non hoa neighborhood would put out trash in plastic bags or grocery bags and rats and other vermin were common. You couldn't walk at night without running in to them. In my hoa neighborhood we have to use bins and keep the trash cans in our garages on days when trash is not collected. Lots of homeowners want to keep them outside their homes, but racoons etc can get in them. It helps keep down the vermin population and I am all for that.

We also had next door neighbors who wouldn't mow their lawn until it was knee high. That did encourage vermin.

Most hoas aren't truly nitpicky, other than Burke Centre.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HOA's exist because humans have a tendency to be lazy, gross and selfish. Without them, there's no telling what your neighbors will let their homes look like. Yes, even in Potomac and Chevy Chase....where the lazy kids inherit their parents' multimillion dollar home and then let it go to shit.

I live in an HOA community, and I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love them when they enforce the rules by not allowing people to smoke in the community's public spaces, but I hate them when they tell me that I can't install a Ring security system on the outside of my front door.

+1. I agree.

And I would add that Americans tend to be very focused on "what's good for me," rather than "what's good for my community." An HOA kind of forces us to care about our community as a whole, rather than just what is good for me.

If a person wants complete freedom to do whatever they want on their property, then they should probably buy some land and live in the outskirts, rather than in a suburb.

The problem is that the HOA supporters and apologists are generally too short-sighted and ignorant to understand what is ACTUALLY good for the community. That is why we have HOA rules like green lawns in August with no weeds (leading to increased pesticides and fertilizers in our groundwater and runoff), no clotheslines (increased electricity usage), no vegetable gardens in front yards (increased cost to homeowner plus increased overall food miles and agricultural land usage), required nighttime landscape lighting (terrible for bug populations), etc.

I would say the flip side of the “don’t buy in a suburb if you want freedom to do as you please on your property”argument is that if you want total control over what you see from your house, you need to buy up all the property you see from your house.

You make it sound as if all hoas are the same. I've experienced several. None required green lawns in August. None had rules about weeds in the lawn and no one has been forced to use herbicides. None required any night time lighting. They did not allow veg gardens in the front yard and none allowed clotheslines. I wish they would allow clotheslines in the back yard but most homeowners don't want to be staring at their neighbors laundry as the sit on their decks.

My hoa doesn't force us to do any yard maintenance other than clean up of dead plants and mowing to a certain height.

I didn’t mean to imply that all HOAs have all of those rules. They are just some common examples of ridiculously BAD for the community rules found in HOAs across the country. And your HOA is guilty of two of them, so my point stands.

Neighbors not wanting to look at laundry on clotheslines is a terrible reason to encourage everyone to do something which is terrible for the environment and more costly to the homeowner (increased electricity usage plus clothes wear out faster) not to mention the substantial increase in airborne microfibers and microplastics. Aesthetics at the expense of the environment is decidedly NOT good for the community!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Is there anyone on this thread to trying to impose an HOA on a non-HOA community? I think people are just reflecting on the differences.

FWIW, I didn’t move because of the HOA, I moved because the house with the location and other features I wanted happen to be in an HOA community. I was pretty ignorant about a HOAs (despite reviewing the document before closing) and it was a rude shock when a month or so after moving in I got a polite letter regarding my trash bin storage! I scowled, and then laughed, and realized that the OCD HOA is why everything looks good all the time. It’s what I signed up for and so I’m good with it. I definitely don’t think HOAs should be imposed on those who don’t want them, though. I don’t really see anyone advocating for that, luckily.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend lives in a no HOA neighborhood and his neighbor built a two story tall aviary and filled it with screaming parrots.

That's amazing. Why would you want to live in a neighborhood that regulates the frequency of your lawn-mowing instead of a neighborhood with a two-story aviary with parrots?

Because I would like to live in a clean neighborhood where lawns are well kept. I don't want to live in a neighborhood infested with rats and parrots.

Lawns are deserts. I gave up on HOAs when I decided to plant a drought-tolerant, insect-friendly front yard.

A lot of new homes have them too now, it's not new. Also, because our area is not HOA, anyone can have them, and some people who have the funds for perfect lawns also choose to have natural pesticide free lawns. I was surprised how many newer homes and even new construction homes are having at least a path of wild flowers.

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I liven in a very quirky, charming neighborhood with complete freedom for 18 years. Moved to a perfectly manicured slice of Camazotz.

I love it. It’s just so darn relaxing not to have to worry about other people’s trash etc. Everything just always looks good.

To each his own!

I applaud you for moving to where you like it, instead of telling people who lived in a neighborhood for far longer than you to move to rural land because they don't have the funds or health to keep up with shiny new mcMansions and their owner's tastes and budgets, and newly overpriced landscapers/contractors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HOA's exist because humans have a tendency to be lazy, gross and selfish. Without them, there's no telling what your neighbors will let their homes look like. Yes, even in Potomac and Chevy Chase....where the lazy kids inherit their parents' multimillion dollar home and then let it go to shit.

I live in an HOA community, and I have a love-hate relationship with them. I love them when they enforce the rules by not allowing people to smoke in the community's public spaces, but I hate them when they tell me that I can't install a Ring security system on the outside of my front door.

+1. I agree.

And I would add that Americans tend to be very focused on "what's good for me," rather than "what's good for my community." An HOA kind of forces us to care about our community as a whole, rather than just what is good for me.

If a person wants complete freedom to do whatever they want on their property, then they should probably buy some land and live in the outskirts, rather than in a suburb.

Are you obtuse or just entitled? These things COST MONEY, and a lot of people do not have money to do what's "good for community" which for YOU means perfectly manicured place where nothing is happening other than residents cheerfully driving in and out of their garages and outsourcing all maintenance to professionals. Some people have older homes with small garages or no garages, and they can't hide away their "mess" - tools, storage stuff, or a car that may need repair but they can't afford it, don't know what to do, etc. We have one of those on our street, I don't blame them. I understand these people are elderly and don't have money and tenacity to add extra covered storage, tow the old car, procure permits, etc, etc. Those with unlimited funds and in good health don't understand this.
Sell your house and move to an HOA community, problem solved You didn't need to buy that shiny new build next to an old home or with older homes still around that are such eyesores for you. Go live your dreams in other areas where every home is $$$$, and you can afford to move. People who lived in their tear down neighborhoods for decades shouldn't be told to move to rural land, you should move.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My friend lives in a no HOA neighborhood and his neighbor built a two story tall aviary and filled it with screaming parrots.

That's amazing. Why would you want to live in a neighborhood that regulates the frequency of your lawn-mowing instead of a neighborhood with a two-story aviary with parrots?

Because I would like to live in a clean neighborhood where lawns are well kept. I don't want to live in a neighborhood infested with rats and parrots.

Lawns are deserts. I gave up on HOAs when I decided to plant a drought-tolerant, insect-friendly front yard.