We have several friends who have moved to lovely enclaves with HOAs. They ALL have rancorous stories! And our local Congressional Representative takes it on the chin every time he sends out his monthly update. I'm also amazed that he's willing to continue publishing his activities when attacked so often. And then we wonder why countries can't get along!
Interesting post today. It brought to mind a parallel with my post military life. We moved into a small but new community upon retirement from the military a little over 2 years ago. Like many communities, this one has an HOA. Although, we live in rural S. West Idaho so “folks ‘round here don’t cotton much to rules and such…” So HOA-type directives and compliance do not go over well here. Most of this new community (which used to be a thriving alfalfa field) is now occupied by Californians who wanted to escape the “craziness of California & Sate politics” (their words). Most here are very conservative in nature which fits well with the community they’re now calling home. Since it’s a small community (about 40 homes total)…and new, everyone knows everyone which is pretty unusual for neighborhoods these days. Because of that, many of our neighbors knew of my military service by the time I arrived. Upon our arrival, I was approached about 10 different times by as many people to take over as the HOA president. I declined all attempts at taking on that role. I’ve pretty much detested HOAs from the first time I came in contact with them and despite the fact that ours is much more benign than most…it still comes with the stigma attached to those entities. Turns out, it has been a good decision. We’re friends with all our neighbors vs. the current HOA officers who have landed more on the “outcast” roster… for holding up the rules the community agreed on. Never made sense to me. The “members” of the HOA create the rules…then elect someone to enforce them…then criticize the people they just elected. I want no part of that cycle.
Like politics, someone needs to do it, but it comes with baggage. Like other professions, I’m glad those folks are out there and are passionate enough to take on those roles knowing the pitfalls that await. It amazes me the amount of personal attacks and mud-slinging elected officials put up with and still keep on going. Perhaps younger folks have more resiliency for this stuff. For me, life’s too short to have to deal with all that… even in a local HOA.
We have several friends who have moved to lovely enclaves with HOAs. They ALL have rancorous stories! And our local Congressional Representative takes it on the chin every time he sends out his monthly update. I'm also amazed that he's willing to continue publishing his activities when attacked so often. And then we wonder why countries can't get along!
Interesting post today. It brought to mind a parallel with my post military life. We moved into a small but new community upon retirement from the military a little over 2 years ago. Like many communities, this one has an HOA. Although, we live in rural S. West Idaho so “folks ‘round here don’t cotton much to rules and such…” So HOA-type directives and compliance do not go over well here. Most of this new community (which used to be a thriving alfalfa field) is now occupied by Californians who wanted to escape the “craziness of California & Sate politics” (their words). Most here are very conservative in nature which fits well with the community they’re now calling home. Since it’s a small community (about 40 homes total)…and new, everyone knows everyone which is pretty unusual for neighborhoods these days. Because of that, many of our neighbors knew of my military service by the time I arrived. Upon our arrival, I was approached about 10 different times by as many people to take over as the HOA president. I declined all attempts at taking on that role. I’ve pretty much detested HOAs from the first time I came in contact with them and despite the fact that ours is much more benign than most…it still comes with the stigma attached to those entities. Turns out, it has been a good decision. We’re friends with all our neighbors vs. the current HOA officers who have landed more on the “outcast” roster… for holding up the rules the community agreed on. Never made sense to me. The “members” of the HOA create the rules…then elect someone to enforce them…then criticize the people they just elected. I want no part of that cycle.
Like politics, someone needs to do it, but it comes with baggage. Like other professions, I’m glad those folks are out there and are passionate enough to take on those roles knowing the pitfalls that await. It amazes me the amount of personal attacks and mud-slinging elected officials put up with and still keep on going. Perhaps younger folks have more resiliency for this stuff. For me, life’s too short to have to deal with all that… even in a local HOA.
Ah those pesky squirrels! They are a tad like politicians perhaps? Gotta watch them! Which I feel is the gist of your post! Excellent points.