It Takes All Kinds - Townhome Complex Curiosity

[MineralMan]

I took a pickup load of shelving units over to our new townhome. We're downsizing and a townhome complex with quad homes worked best for us, pricewise and otherwise. Anyhow, my late mother-in-law lived in such a place, but with larger twin homes. There was a nosy guy who had nothing to do, so he poked his nose into everyone's lives and reported things to the HOA from time to time. He was once on the HOA board, but got unelected. Still, he thought it was his role to poke around into other people's business.

So, I was assembling knockdown Rubbermaid shelving units from our current house in the garage. I looked around, and there was an old guy (maybe a couple of years younger than my 75 years) on a four-wheel handicapped scooter. "Hi! I'm Joe." My first thought was, "Oh, no...here's the development's Nosy Parker, and we haven't even moved in yet."

Not so. He saw my truck and just rolled by to say hello. First thing he asked was, "You vaccinated?" I said I was. He then went on a rant about all the people refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. "Damned people want to kill us all. Probably voted for that asshole Trump, too." That was refreshing, so I took a little break and chatted with him. He had all sorts of information that was useful, like the day the trash gets picked up and parking rules on the streets in the development. He knew the previous owner, and told us that he had taken very good care of his unit.

So, I'm sure I'll run into Joe from time to time, but he seems like a good sort.

Anyhow, the movers are shifting our stuff from here to there on Tuesday, so I still have some last minute packing up to do. I have to take my computer over there tomorrow, so when the cable guy comes by, there's a TV and a computer in the house to check the installation out. So, I'll be limited in my online activity for a few days, having to resort to cell data on my phone. Oh, well.

We like the place, and it gives a chance to start off again, junk-free. We'll see how the whole HOA thing works out.

[Karadeniz]

1. FABULOUS NEWS!!!!!

[niyad]

2. Sounds like you will have at least one compatible neighbor.

[Demovictory9]

3. lived in townhouse HOA community for 8 years. GIve up working on stuff privately in the garage

lol!!! outside stuff, expect the nosy neighbor.

[paleotn]

4. You just never know.

Best of luck in your new place.

[Katinfl]

5. I have lived with an HOA for the last 16 years.

When we moved to FL we looked for a deed restricted community because there are no restrictions in other areas and that turns into run down neighborhoods. Don’t know how it is where you are, but in FL if you care about where and how you live you need to be in a HOA. However, HOA’s are only as good as the board (volunteer) members and the Property Manager and how they work together. We have had some problems but that goes without saying with anything. Personally, we like it. Plus the fact that if you do have any problems with neighbors, noise, dogs, etc. you have a recourse. Covenants are there for a reason. FYI, I am not in a 55+ community. Good luck.

[Freddie]

17. My son just bought a house in an HOA community in FL

He said the same, that basically all “nice” neighborhoods down there have HOAs. He’s only been there a couple months, so far so good. He is responsible for his own lawn care (small fenced lawn) and landscaping. HOA fee covers basic cable, internet and community pool.

[AZ8theist]

6. Best of luck, MM

I'll be looking forward to your next post.
You always produce good stuff.

[Hekate]

7. Sounds like you're off to a good start!

[Wounded Bear]

8. Nice that you've found at least one sane neighbor...

[mnhtnbb]

9. Happy moving!

I'm in a new single family housing development--with an HOA-- and we just had our first social gathering in our newly finished clubhouse on Friday. About 50 people attended. I fear more than a few Trumpists in the neighborhood, but mostly a good group. Houses are still under construction, so it remains to be seen how it will all sort out.

Your HOA probably has a message board. Ours is on slack. Very helpful for sharing information. Joe probably knows about yours.

Hope you will be happy with your downsizing.

[George II]

10. Don't know how many units total, or how active the HOA is, but if it's your interest get involved...

Right after I moved into my condominium (2 homes back) I went to a couple of meetings. After a year I was elected VP and the next year President. Was re-elected for 11 years until we moved out. Most people aren't interested, so you can get a chance to steer the way the complex is run, and make sure your fees aren't being wasted.

Nice to see a friendly neighbor, and not a trumper at that!

When we moved into this house, our first day was the end of July and very hot.

The first thing I did was mow the grass, it was neglected by the widow we bought it from. After a few minutes the woman next door came over to talk, give us the history of the house (that was interesting!), and just chat. She commented on how hot it was, too. A couple of minutes after she went home, I heard a loud mower. Around the corner came her husband on his riding mower. He said, "I'm only going to do this once!", and then he cut the rest of our front and back yards.

We've been very good friends ever since, and he WAS a republican, but now changed.

[MerryHolidays]

11. I did literally spit out my coffee when reading what Joe said about trump

Sounds like you have a great neighbor there.

Best of luck in the new home! Moving can be a pain, but it is a chance to make a fresh start like you said.

Given all the legal skills you've acquired dealing with your parents' estate and your direct writing style, I fear for the HOA! You'll do just fine...

[MustLoveBeagles]

12. Good luck with your new home

You have at least one friendly neighbor so you're off to a great start.

[SheltieLover]

13. Good luck moving & settling in!

Nice you know you have one friendly, sane neighbor!

[Jilly_in_VA]

14. Good luck to you in the new place!

We just got shet of some land with an HOA. It used to be a real nice group, but the chairman died and some woman got hold of the records and appointed herself chairman. Oh boy! We are well away from her!

[GoneOffShore]

15. Sounds like a great place to live and that you've already made contact with a new neighbor!

Good luck!

[orleans]

16. i moved into a condo several years ago

and am good friends with the people across the hall from me.

i'd been going over with my little dog and visiting nearly every day. then covid hit and i stopped our visits. then we all got vaxxed and the visits slowly picked up again--but with masks. i still wear one when i go in to see her b/c i'm around the public and kids far more than she is. but masks bother her--she's on oxygen --so she asked if she could keep hers off and i'm okay with that. i'm going across the hall in awhile--i don't know if it's me they want to see as much as they want to see my fur-friend (and she loves them).

also, they're dems.
and, honestly, i probably wouldn't be nearly as friendly and connected with them had they not been.

have fun with your new place and experiences (after the pain in the ass work in done)

[Niagara]

18. It's always helpful having like-minded neighbors.

Good luck and best wishes with your move and your new place.