Among Friends

[Melania7]

85th anniversary so the older the condo building, the more problems it has and that’s when they start raising the monthly condo maintenance fee even more, and start assessing for things when there isn’t enough money in reserve.  So the one condo buildings behind mine just got brand new roofs, and their monthly maint. fee is $483/month and that’s supposed to include exterior maintenance (roof, gutters and siding).  Well one of those condos recently went up for sale right after the roof was done, and the realty listing says that “the $15k roof assessment has already been paid for by the seller”.  So where has that $483/month been going all of these years?  It’s upsetting. Anyways, I live in a condo (only 109 units)  Not everyone knows each other, but I think it’s more that you sort of get to know the people that live in the same building as you a little bit because maybe you pass by them when you are coming or going. I don’t like to get too chummy with any condo neighbors.  I don’t think that many condo neighbors get together regularly, and there’s no real obligation to socialize with anyone, aside from being polite to the annoying neighbors that have nothing better to do but to be in other people’s business. If we had a condo party, I would not attend either. Honestly, I’ve lived in my condo for almost 19 years now, and I bought it when I was just starting out, as a first-time home buyer and I have been looking to move/buy something else recently, and I’m not sure I want a condo again. Like I said, I don’t want to get too chummy with neighbors and we’re all packed pretty close together. Some of the neighbors here have negative behaviors, but most are decent, good people. The monthly maint. fees are high and keep going up. I also have to pay an extra $47/month for two swimming pools that I never use. I don’t know, I guess a small house with small yard is a lot of work though still (because around here we have some 1950’s/1960’s neighborhoods with little ranches or bungalows on a 5,500 square foot property) The property taxes are higher too, but at least you have control over your money in a house. For example, when I pay my monthly maint. fee, the majority of that goes into their reserve fund, but it’s my money and I’d rather keep that in my own personal savings account if I needed it for a new roof or gutters or something. And even though we all pay that fee every month, the condo exterior, asphalt/parking lot, and landscaping is so shabby and not kept up well at all. I mean the condo parking lot is just in awful condition.

[ValuSkr]

Our condo community of 400 or so units has a Social Committee that organizes a handful of events each year.  The next one coming up is "Trunk or Treat."  I think the committee should have enough people to stage such events, or be skilled at recruiting others.  If they don't, or can't, maybe they should pack it in for a few years until new blood comes along.  Our own social committee has waxed and waned over the years.

[Sooner]

A town?  A state? But an anniversary for a condo seems odd to me.  Don't people move in and out, so the same people wouldn't have lived there all the while.  

But then I don't live where condos are popular either, so what do I know.  I've lived in four houses in 40 years.  

[matty liz]

Sad the excusses presented.  The OP would have just enjoyed the fellowship.  There are different levels of disabled.  It is good to recognize our ability and know what we can do.

[Laura14]

Welcome to hospitality. I have been in it for over 20 years and this is what happens when you have to juggle the expense of throwing such an event which is a lot and the support or lack thereof from those who may want to attend. 

It may have been very fiscally responsible for your community to save their money when they can't get a decent turnout for the vendors that I would guess they had contracted for the event. 

Unfortunately, you have to book vendors to service the party well in advance and either cancel before you lose your deposit if it looks like no one cares, or risk it and hope people show up last minute.

That's really the problem. I think you would have had a nice turnout, but no one knows how to RSVP anymore.

The problem is that the organizers can't risk the amount of money to throw (especially a free) event and not have anyone come or worse the weather keep everyone away, if it was outside.

Wait for the "we never have any events" crowd to start piping up. We tell our people if they would RSVP and let us know they're coming, we'd throw more events for them. If you choose not to, we can't pay vendors cancellation fees every month.  

[shoesnbags]

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@Melania7 wrote:

85th anniversary so the older the condo building, the more problems it has and that’s when they start raising the monthly condo maintenance fee even more, and start assessing for things when there isn’t enough money in reserve.  So the one condo buildings behind mine just got brand new roofs, and their monthly maint. fee is $483/month and that’s supposed to include exterior maintenance (roof, gutters and siding).  Well one of those condos recently went up for sale right after the roof was done, and the realty listing says that “the $15k roof assessment has already been paid for by the seller”.  So where has that $483/month been going all of these years?  It’s upsetting. Anyways, I live in a condo (only 109 units)  Not everyone knows each other, but I think it’s more that you sort of get to know the people that live in the same building as you a little bit because maybe you pass by them when you are coming or going. I don’t like to get too chummy with any condo neighbors.  I don’t think that many condo neighbors get together regularly, and there’s no real obligation to socialize with anyone, aside from being polite to the annoying neighbors that have nothing better to do but to be in other people’s business. If we had a condo party, I would not attend either. Honestly, I’ve lived in my condo for almost 19 years now, and I bought it when I was just starting out, as a first-time home buyer and I have been looking to move/buy something else recently, and I’m not sure I want a condo again. Like I said, I don’t want to get too chummy with neighbors and we’re all packed pretty close together. Some of the neighbors here have negative behaviors, but most are decent, good people. The monthly maint. fees are high and keep going up. I also have to pay an extra $47/month for two swimming pools that I never use. I don’t know, I guess a small house with small yard is a lot of work though still (because around here we have some 1950’s/1960’s neighborhoods with little ranches or bungalows on a 5,500 square foot property) The property taxes are higher too, but at least you have control over your money in a house. For example, when I pay my monthly maint. fee, the majority of that goes into their reserve fund, but it’s my money and I’d rather keep that in my own personal savings account if I needed it for a new roof or gutters or something. And even though we all pay that fee every month, the condo exterior, asphalt/parking lot, and landscaping is so shabby and not kept up well at all. I mean the condo parking lot is just in awful condition.

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@Melania7  You raise some good points.  Everyone's needs are different, but as far as living in a small house with a small yard, you just hire people to do the necessary maintenance.  And as you mentioned, you have total control over who you hire and what maintenance you give priority to (new roof vs new driveway vs. repainting).  We've owned condos as rentals, so I've dealt with that system vs. as a homeowner.  Personally, I'm 76 and happy in my same ole house, hiring help as I need it. As the saying goes, "your needs may vary."

[I am still oxox]

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@Melania7 wrote:

85th anniversary so the older the condo building, the more problems it has and that’s when they start raising the monthly condo maintenance fee even more, and start assessing for things when there isn’t enough money in reserve.  So the one condo buildings behind mine just got brand new roofs, and their monthly maint. fee is $483/month and that’s supposed to include exterior maintenance (roof, gutters and siding).  Well one of those condos recently went up for sale right after the roof was done, and the realty listing says that “the $15k roof assessment has already been paid for by the seller”.  So where has that $483/month been going all of these years?  It’s upsetting. Anyways, I live in a condo (only 109 units)  Not everyone knows each other, but I think it’s more that you sort of get to know the people that live in the same building as you a little bit because maybe you pass by them when you are coming or going. I don’t like to get too chummy with any condo neighbors.  I don’t think that many condo neighbors get together regularly, and there’s no real obligation to socialize with anyone, aside from being polite to the annoying neighbors that have nothing better to do but to be in other people’s business. If we had a condo party, I would not attend either. Honestly, I’ve lived in my condo for almost 19 years now, and I bought it when I was just starting out, as a first-time home buyer and I have been looking to move/buy something else recently, and I’m not sure I want a condo again. Like I said, I don’t want to get too chummy with neighbors and we’re all packed pretty close together. Some of the neighbors here have negative behaviors, but most are decent, good people. The monthly maint. fees are high and keep going up. I also have to pay an extra $47/month for two swimming pools that I never use. I don’t know, I guess a small house with small yard is a lot of work though still (because around here we have some 1950’s/1960’s neighborhoods with little ranches or bungalows on a 5,500 square foot property) The property taxes are higher too, but at least you have control over your money in a house. For example, when I pay my monthly maint. fee, the majority of that goes into their reserve fund, but it’s my money and I’d rather keep that in my own personal savings account if I needed it for a new roof or gutters or something. And even though we all pay that fee every month, the condo exterior, asphalt/parking lot, and landscaping is so shabby and not kept up well at all. I mean the condo parking lot is just in awful condition.

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@Melania7 The development is kept in great condition. Many of people  have up graded their units. This is Westchester where the cost of property is sky high I love living here. It is like having my own home without the hassles of keeping up my lawn or snow removal

[katie1859]

It's a hard call to determine why people don't participate...but for many the last month in the country has caused great emotions.

In my own community which has a population of 190,000 I have found it to be unusually quiet.  I see  people pulling back and maybe just stopping for a few and letting the heaviness fall off a bit.

[CalminHeart]

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@I am still oxox wrote:

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@CalminHeart wrote:

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@I am still oxox wrote:

I live in a 525 unit condo development outside of NYC. This weekend was supposed to be a Free 85th anniversary party, which was cancelled due to lack of participation. People around here are so willing to flap their mouths when something goes wrong. I am disabled or I would of volunteered. What gives with this world. I wonder if the same thing will happen with the Halloween party which is being planned. Rant over 

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I would have gone in the past, but unlikely right now.  It's not safe anywhere, particiularly certain cities/states, and I don't want to get hurt or killed. 

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@CalminHeartSurely it is not that kind of an area. It is very safe in face we have accidently not locked our door for several nights

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You are lucky if you live in any area where you don't have to lock your doors. I learned long ago not to trust people that much.