Shakopee up and coming?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Slig

I would never wanna live wherever that is then. On second thought I'll take a place in that neighborhood, also why don't you throw in a padded cell and a strait-jacket...peace a quiet at last!

Interesting. You don't like being able to legally and peacefully protect yourself against neighbors who are disturbing the area where you live?

How do you resolve noise or other intrusive issues created by neighbors at your current location?

Surely a landlord would have similar tools at their disposal?

I thought you were a control freak ... aren't HOA covenants something you'd love?

We don't have noise or neighbor issues such as you describe where I live, BTW. The presence of Homeowner's Associations in most of the newer neighborhoods here is a large reason for that, since people generally read the HOA covenants and such before purchasing and agree to abide by the few common sense rules that exist. Well, most of them are common sense.

In exchange for following the rules, you get to live in a neighborhood which is generally peaceful, and which often has privately owned common facilities which you can also use: in our case a pair of tennis courts, a swimming pool, a large building and chairs/tables which can be used for parties/events, and a well-maintained playground. The pool is very nice in the summer!

Similar rules existed in the townhome community in Eden Prairie that we lived in prior to moving to Georgia, BTW. It isn't that uncommon, and in the case of the HOA up there we also got our lawns mowed, driveways plowed, and sidewalks/driveways/roofs/siding/windows/etc. repaired.

I can only assume that HOA's (and their associated protections and limitations) also exist in Shakopee.

[Slig]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Interesting. You don't like being able to legally and peacefully protect yourself against neighbors who are disturbing the area where you live?

How do you resolve noise or other intrusive issues created by neighbors at your current location?

Surely a landlord would have similar tools at their disposal?

I thought you were a control freak ... aren't HOA covenants something you'd love?

I'm all about making sure my neighborhood is in good shape and people are respectful but I also don't want to live somewhere where my neighbors and I are binded down by all kinds of crazy rules. Besides giving my input at block meetings and neighborhood functions I don't do a whole lot as far as freaking out and calling the cops on people, etc. Well, my neighbor's fence was tagged with graffiti and he refused to paint over it. The ugly half splotched fence sat like that for the entire first year I lived here....so I confronted him with a member of the neighborhood organization where we discussed our concerns with him, magically the fence was repainted within a week! That's the kind of neighborhood cooperation I appreciate. My neighbors have loud parties every now and then and there are various dogs that bark on occasion (mine included) but hey, it isn't that big of a deal. If something's going on that I don't like I'll confront you directly about it, I don't like the sneaky behind the back stuff whenever possible.

[tijlover]

I live in an HOA townhouse community and my choice was based upon the fact that I work the night shift and sleep during the day. The Police will only respond if the noise/racket persists after 10pm, which is when I start work. Our "local townhouse police" will respond to a noise complaint 24 hours a day. Big difference!

HOA communities are here to stay and spreading every day, even throughout noisy Latin America. Drive around Tijuana, Mexico and you'll see all the new gated, American-style communities being built. I've been to Central America, and I've seen them there as well. What does that tell you?

My brother has lived in two townhouse HOA communities in Shakopee. They used to live on Park Ave, north of Franklin. My sister-in-law would never go back to a "free style" neighborhood.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Slig

I'm all about making sure my neighborhood is in good shape and people are respectful but I also don't want to live somewhere where my neighbors and I are binded down by all kinds of crazy rules.

Yeah, it's a trade-off.

I work with some folks here in the Atlanta metro who are in areas w/o an HOA, and while some don't seem to care or have any problems, at least one is having issues with a neighbor (renters who do various things) and doesn't seem to have much legal recourse that she can find.

On the flip side, an HOA that decides to become draconian (and some may start out that way, I dunno) can make life hard for everyone, and they also seem to want to control some things (like paint color) that would drive a lot of folks crazy.

I've been lucky to have good experiences with them, but I do understand the other side. My parents live in an older neighborhood (well, late 50's/early 60's ramblers) in Minnetonka and have not had any issues in almost 50 years, and it's the same with many (maybe most) of the folks I still know up there.

The Twin Cities are civilized. HOAs may be more of a requirement (in terms of enforcing order and/or respect) in other metro areas.