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I must say, Saturn, that I tend to agree with you- which is why we've managed to stay away from them this long...unfortunately for the type and size of house and neighborhood we want for the kids, we're being led down this path. We're in a nice area now, but no kids, and it makes for some boreddddd kiddos!
I must say, Saturn, that I tend to agree with you- which is why we've managed to stay away from them this long...unfortunately for the type and size of house and neighborhood we want for the kids, we're being led down this path. We're in a nice area now, but no kids, and it makes for some boreddddd kiddos!
Many of the homeowners in Glenkirk and Highland Oaks moved to those neighborhoods for reasons associated with their children. The neighborhood locations are convenient, near beautiful Bond Park, and generally in a nice area, with good school assignments as well as near several private schools and a ballet school. Glenkirk is a neighborhood of truly friendly people, and I'm sure Highland Oaks is as well. Your children should be able to stay plenty busy playing with new friends, making that minor annoyance of the mailbox color.....well just a minor annoyance
I can understand, I guess,why an HOA might put strict limits on what happens in front of a house (though I don't care for it), but why on earth should they care if I put a veggie garden in my fenced back yard?
I can understand, I guess,why an HOA might put strict limits on what happens in front of a house (though I don't care for it), but why on earth should they care if I put a veggie garden in my fenced back yard?
There is something out there for everyone.
Covenants vary from subdivision to subdivision.
Restrictions of varying levels appeal to different people.
The real question is: How is the HOA operated?
What type of person gains power?
mommiewrites, have you really spent some time investigating non HOA neighborhoods in Cary? I only ask because you seem reluctantly resigned to it and I have seen some fabulous homes with plenty of children in non-HOA neighborhoods in Cary. You need to be happy where you live as well as your children! One HOA might be lenient NOW, but what happens when someone you don't agree with comes to power and pulls the rug out from under everyone? It can happen!
I can certainly understand why people dislike HOAs. Some of them are far too restrictive. I don't understand why an HOA should govern the size of my birdfeeders or the color of my flowers. The rules in many of these communities are far too strict. Perhaps a backlash is brewing. One can only hope!
My community has an HOA. There are a few strict rules (mailboxes must all be identical; sheds and fences must be approved by the architectural board before construction). Other than that, they're pretty flexible. The houses here are very colorful & I've seen a few get new paint jobs (including new colors) without a problem. People don't care what flowers you plant in your garden. Basic things like that. It seems that the main reason why we have an HOA is to maintain the public areas - the walking trails and play areas. In this particular case, I don't mind having an HOA. But I'm keeping my eye on them. The identical mail boxes are as close to cookie-cutter as I'm willing to get!
Don't panic. I'm in an older neighborhood (Kenilworth, Parkway PUD) with an HOA. The enforcement of rules here is pretty lax: we all have to have black mailboxes, but several are "decorated" with, for example, an orange Clemson wrap. The guys downt the road have a Michigan banner hanging outside their garage.
None of us watered lawns this summer -- and no one narc'd on anyone. We have Friday trash collection. so if I'm gone for a F/S/S weekend and my trash can sits out, either a neighbor brings it up the drive (but, gasp!, it is still visible in front of the garage door!) or it sits on the curb. Not a big deal.
My advice would be to (1) read the HOA rules and (2) drive the neighborhood and see how strictly they are enforced. My HOA is pretty mellow, but I am also aware that it could turn on a dime if a stickler gets into power!
FYI - HOA's have no real power. They cannot put a lien on your home other than for homeowner dues in NC. Legally they don't have a leg to stand on. If you don't pay a fine because you didn't mow your lawn, what will they do sue you? They would lose . Most HOA's needs 2/3 's of the neighborhood to vote to spend the amount of money it would take to sue someone. I doubt 2/3's of a neighborhoods homeowners would agree to it. I wouldn't say completely ignore the HOA because they do keep the neighborhoods looking nice, but the ones that get out of control don't stress. I am also a board member of a community in Cary so I know the real deal.
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Glenkirk and Highland Oaks are great choices
