San Diego: The Best place to raise a family? (Escondido: HOA fees, appliances)

[stablegenius]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

Anything with an HOA is a hell to the no. Like you need a Karen telling you how to live in your own damn house. I'd rather be in an apartment than another type of govt which it is.

I completely agree and that is a major downside. Hard to say who you'll end up with managing the HOA, but those roles tend to attract the Karens (and Kens) of the world. I once owned a condo at Park Mesa community and it was just like that. I just really hate having to keep everything up. Some HOAs aren't too bad...

[Axxlrod]

To each their own.

I don't mind HOAs. I lived in one with our last 5 houses, and never had an issue. Never had a Karen encounter, and I've painted several of the houses, added pools, landscaping, lighting, solar, etc. Never anything but a rubber stamp.

And the Hoa has kept me from having to stare at ugly, dilapidated boats, RVs, trailers, "project" cars, cars on lawns, too many cars, ugly houses, overgrown lawns, unkept landscaping, etc...

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

To each their own.

I don't mind HOAs. I lived in one with our last 5 houses, and never had an issue. Never had a Karen encounter, and I've painted several of the houses, added pools, landscaping, lighting, solar, etc. Never anything but a rubber stamp.

And the Hoa has kept me from having to stare at ugly, dilapidated boats, RVs, trailers, "project" cars, cars on lawns, too many cars, ugly houses, overgrown lawns, unkept landscaping, etc...

All of the above would be me.... but "nicer" projects

[someguy10]

Add me to the SFH fan category, even though I dislike yard work and other such maintenance a SFH requires. Simple solution: outsource all that. Cost wise, that outsourcing is similar or less (for some of the higher fee) than the condo fees. Also, I get to pick my providers instead of taking whichever the association dictates. With condos, you can also be subject to special assessments if, eg, a bunch of units need need roofs or windows. Even if yours doesn't need one/them for years.

HOAs can be a mixed bag but I agree with Axxlrod overall, though. It gives some recourse if a neighbor gets out of control. This is assuming an urban or suburban environment. If you're on acreage where neighbors can't see one another, then it's less important.

[stablegenius]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

And the Hoa has kept me from having to stare at ugly, dilapidated boats, RVs, trailers, "project" cars, cars on lawns, too many cars, ugly houses, overgrown lawns, unkept landscaping, etc...

For me this is the draw of an HOA. If I could afford living in North PB or La Jolla it would not be a problem, because most people keep their yards up. But I live in Clairemont where that is not the case. I could move out to a track home in Santee, but no thanks, I'd rather live closer to the action.

Originally Posted by someguy10

Simple solution: outsource all that. Cost wise, that outsourcing is similar or less (for some of the higher fee) than the condo fees. Also, I get to pick my providers instead of taking whichever the association dictates. With condos, you can also be subject to special assessments if, eg, a bunch of units need need roofs or windows. Even if yours doesn't need one/them for years.

I see that, but for me the benefits outweigh that. Sure I can outsource, but then I have to deal with it. For me it's worth the piece of mind to let someone else deal with it and just monitor the financials once in a while (even though I never did that...). You forget that the HOA also covers other things like roof, streets, walls, etc. So I feel that the costs are largely a wash, except for when your unit doesn't need work and someone else's does I suppose. I think the key to ensuring things don't change too much from when you buy is to buy into an established community.

[NYSD1995]

If I'm retired I don't want to spend my time doing maintenance or my money paying someone else to do it. I don't care about an HOA because I'm quiet and private and don't make any trouble either. San Diego lacks attractive townhome-style housing. If you go to Seattle they have these modernist 4 unit townhomes that are really nice, with outdoor space, garages and decks. San Diego seems to favor condos with hallways and more density. I would rather trade off pools and spas and gym amenities for a more desirable unit.

[GuyInSD]

Originally Posted by Axxlrod

To each their own.

I don't mind HOAs. I lived in one with our last 5 houses, and never had an issue. Never had a Karen encounter, and I've painted several of the houses, added pools, landscaping, lighting, solar, etc. Never anything but a rubber stamp.

And the Hoa has kept me from having to stare at ugly, dilapidated boats, RVs, trailers, "project" cars, cars on lawns, too many cars, ugly houses, overgrown lawns, unkept landscaping, etc...

Exhibit #1 for why an HOA can be a good thing; this wasn't that long ago - it took five years for the City to take action (other than sending citations)...

[NORTY FLATZ]

Hoarding is a mental issue, that manifests itself into a physical one.

The problem with HOA's is the people that run them are not vetted at all.

Any mental sickness can apply...

[NYSD1995]

We wouldn't need HOAs if the city actually enforced it's own municipal codes.

[GuyInSD]

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

Hoarding is a mental issue, that manifests itself into a physical one.

The problem with HOA's is the people that run them are not vetted at all.

Any mental sickness can apply...

But, HOA Board members are also elected - so there is a mechanism in place to get rid of problem Board Members; but having close experience with three different HOA Boards in San Diego - I can honestly say that the vast majority of people (~90%) living in a community are completely apathetic to what their HOA is doing/how it's run (unless they do something extremely stupid).
The other 10% seem to be split between nosy busy-bodies on one end and trashy/noisy/hoarder folks on the other end. There does seem to be an economic factor at play as well - the pricier the area, the less trashy the people seem to be.