[tallrick]

Originally Posted by gws35

If you want a non hoa home then theres plenty to chose from. For me living in a non hoa isnt an option...yes they can be restrictive but id rather have that than live next door to a junk yard. My old next door neighbor let her house turn into a hell hole, same with another neighbor down the street...something out of sanford and son....pissed me off everytime I drove by.... was hell trying to sell because of them...never again!

Why are people so fussy about yard clutter? I hate Mc Mansions, but that doesn't mean that I can make them go away. Instead of relying on a HOA why not just concentrate on your own place only?

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by MrTudo

We lived with a HOA in West Boca Raton and it was great. Kept most of the riff raff out.

I went to Florida Atlantic (FAU) in Boca in the 70's. Way back then the townspeople who were uber-rich for that time considered us (the college kids) riff raff. maybe they still do.

Looking back on our behavior we would now be considered extemely well-mannered, quiet and law-abiding. We were all so studies-focused that the Vietnam war was over for 3 days before we heard about it.

The word combination of "Boca" and "HOA" is scary to me.

[JimMe]

I like what a HOA can do for you. But I don't especially want to move into a situation where the HOA will become a reign of terror. How can you find out ahead of time before you move whether the HOA is reasonable and responsible?

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by JimMe

How can you find out ahead of time before you move whether the HOA is reasonable and responsible?

I speak from experience when I say you cannot predict it. We have been in the same community for 10 years and things started to get mean about 2 years ago. You just can't predict which people will be elected, go on a power trip and rile things up.

Most people just ask how much the dues are and if there are any increases expected (that's what we did ). And the realtor will of course paint a rosy picture.
I guess you need to talk to several other owners, maybe rent and sit around the pool and see how the gossip flows.
I don't think all HOA's are bad but they're not for me.

I think they suit older people, snowbirds and single women who want security.
As far as getting amenities for your dues I have found that it's cheaper to join a gym and restaurants offsite are better food for less money.
AARP currently has a bill proposed in the FL Senate that will give homeowners more protections from abusives HOA's and that will be a huge step forward. The lawyers are lobbying against it of course because they want lawsuits to earn money.

The weird thing is that most people would look at where I live, see my dues and say I have a great place to live. I know whoever buys our house will love living here. I just don't want to live here anymore.

[MrTudo]

Originally Posted by imagardener

I went to Florida Atlantic (FAU) in Boca in the 70's. Way back then the townspeople who were uber-rich for that time considered us (the college kids) riff raff. maybe they still do.

Looking back on our behavior we would now be considered extemely well-mannered, quiet and law-abiding. We were all so studies-focused that the Vietnam war was over for 3 days before we heard about it.

The word combination of "Boca" and "HOA" is scary to me.

Yeah well I don't know what your definition of "uber-rich" is . Further, I don't know what the problem is with people who have worked hard and have become productive enough to afford better things in life. Perhaps you can explain that statement so I have a better understanding.

Frankly I'm ready to buy back into Boca and depending on the association would welcome the change from the west coast where it seems that large groups of people haven't any pride whatsoever in how they live. Perhaps it's like that where they came from?