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I'm not a fan of HOAs. Where I live now, in VA, there are many great neighborhoods that don't have HOAs, though there are lots of HOA neighborhoods also.
I'm comtemplating retiring to the Charleston area, and from what I've seen I think Mount Pleasant would suit me. Except it seems that almost the entire town is part of one HOA or another.
Does anyone know if there are any nice areas in Mount Pleasant that are NOT in an HOA?
You did not mention what part of Virginia in which you live. If in Fairfax County you may be familiar with the older section of Springfield, Va. at the beltway. The Grove neighborhood in Mt. Pleasant is somewhat similar and they do not have a traditional HOA. Here is a video of "The Groves." Homes in The Groves sell in the $250,000 to $500,000 range.
Another quite nice area of Mt. Pleasant is "Old Mt. Pleasant" and the historic "Old Village" in which there is not an HOA although they do have strict architectural controls on changing the exteriors of the historic homes in The Old Village. Homes in Old Mt. Pleasant are in the $250,000 to $500,000, while those in The Old Village generally are priced and sell in the $500,000 + range.
I'm not a fan of HOAs. Where I live now, in VA, there are many great neighborhoods that don't have HOAs, though there are lots of HOA neighborhoods also.
I'm comtemplating retiring to the Charleston area, and from what I've seen I think Mount Pleasant would suit me. Except it seems that almost the entire town is part of one HOA or another.
Does anyone know if there are any nice areas in Mount Pleasant that are NOT in an HOA?
Wouldn't an HOA keep people from parking their cars on the front lawn? I saw 4-5 in that short video. To me, thats tacky! Thats why builders pour driveways, to keep vehicle's off the lawns. There was actually a few cars that did that over in our area, I was so tempted to flaten their tires every time I had to drive by and see it. Its just a eyesore. With the help from our HOA, they did get it straightened out. Just my worthless opinion :-)
Although I can understand you not wanting to live in a HOA controlled community. There are many different degrees to HOA rules and restrictions. From very strict to relaxed.
What do you dislike about HOA's?
The amount of homes in Mount Pleasant that are not governed by an HOA is going to limit your choice.
Being that I relocated to Mount Pleasant from the UK, apart of the attraction of Mount Pleasant is that it is "well groomed" and that I feel has a lot to do with the use of communities and HOA's.
Joe - Thanks so much for the information and for posting the videos. The videos really gave me a good feeling about both neighborhoods. "The Groves" and "Old Mt. Pleasant" seem like they'd suit me and my husband very well, but I'm not sure about living in a place with strict architectural controls on changing the exteriors as you say is the case for the "Old Village" neighborhood.
I'm going to bring up Trulia, and Bing Maps (love the aerial views) and Google Maps (for the street views) and look over the neighborhoods.
Oh - and I am in Fairfax County and am familiar with the Springfield neighborhoods you mention.
pokrplr - In recent years on various internet forums I've discovered that people are often very passionate for having HOAs, or very passionate against living in an HOAs. Both sides have lots of reasons why, but both since I'm new here and not sure about having "passionate" discussions on things like that, and also because no one ever changes their mind about HOAs based on other people's posts (does anyone ever change their mind about anything based on other people's opinion?), I'll just leave it at "not a fan of HOAs". But I do appreciate your input.
There are about 170 homes in the historic district of the Old District that have restrictions on what can be done to the exteriors, very much like Old Town Alexandria. There are home in the Old Village that are not identified as having "historical significance" as well as some newer homes constructed on some miscellaneous lots in the Old Village. There are no such restrictions in Old Mt. Pleasant which borders the Old Village. The Old Village is unique in terms of location, feel and historical significance. It also has one of the highest rated Elementary schools in the state, Mt. Pleasant Academy which is public and new. I have begun a photographic historic survey of the Old Village for my enjoyment and help to others which I will be glad to share with forum members if there is any interest as I continue my research and add to one of my web sites.
135 Hibben Street
The home at 135 Hibben Street was built cir. 1850. It had 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths. It last sold in 2006. It is not for sale, but just representative on some of the historic homes found in the Old Village.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyT24
Hi USC Joe and pokrplr
Joe - Thanks so much for the information and for posting the videos. The videos really gave me a good feeling about both neighborhoods. "The Groves" and "Old Mt. Pleasant" seem like they'd suit me and my husband very well, but I'm not sure about living in a place with strict architectural controls on changing the exteriors as you say is the case for the "Old Village" neighborhood.
I'm going to bring up Trulia, and Bing Maps (love the aerial views) and Google Maps (for the street views) and look over the neighborhoods.
Oh - and I am in Fairfax County and am familiar with the Springfield neighborhoods you mention.
pokrplr - In recent years on various internet forums I've discovered that people are often very passionate for having HOAs, or very passionate against living in an HOAs. Both sides have lots of reasons why, but both since I'm new here and not sure about having "passionate" discussions on things like that, and also because no one ever changes their mind about HOAs based on other people's posts (does anyone ever change their mind about anything based on other people's opinion?), I'll just leave it at "not a fan of HOAs". But I do appreciate your input.
The Old Village is a great neighborhood... homes are between 300K for a 1,100 sq foot home to over a million for much larger.... I think an average home is 1 million.
The home at 1119 Simmons is quite small and is under contract with contingencies and the one at 910 Center Street appears to owned by the government and will be auctioned off.
Another thing we have to be mindful of living in the Charleston area is making sure we get a permit to cut down trees in our yard.
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