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[jannabelle1]

At our age (early 70s), our town home is what works for us. I think there is somewhat of a misconception about HOAs and condos. I've seen and heard of single home developments with problem HOAs. Our condo association pretty much turned all day to day activity over to an outside management company and they are absolutely wonderful. We are not monitored with what we do, unless it is something that should be addressed, e.g. parking of non-working vehicles for months on streets or driveways, derelect neighbors, etc.

My husband has very bad breathing issues - we are both 72. My health is good, but there is only so much that I can do by myself. While having a single family home is wonderful (I've had many), there may come a time when exterior home maintenance as well as yard maintenance can't be managed alone. That's the position we're in, so our town home works well for us. Fortunately we have sound walls because of older construction, quiet neighbors, and an HOA/management company that works for all of us.

Our monthly fee is $200, so for $2400 in fees last year, we had our roof replaced, exterior painted, gutters cleaned twice, snow removal in the winter, grass mowed, mulch laid on common ground plantings and our front entrance plantings, our patio fence stained, leaves blown off the patio in the fall, 2 dead trees removed from our back area common ground...we get quite a bit for our $200/monthly fee.

[ScarletDove]

Only a house for me, no townhouse, rowhouse or condo....I value my privacy and quiet, need a yard and flower beds in which to reve! in nature and the wildlife which I have in abundance since I back up to Rock Creek Park in suburban MD.

[ScarletDove]

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@kivah wrote:

I owned several beautiful homes and in 1989 I stupidly purchased the "townhouse from hell." I lived there for 11 years and hated every day. Claustrophobic, I was attached on both sides (there were sets of 3 units attached); bad floor plan, small unit, 1200 sq. ft - 2 stories; house behind mine was too close; no sidewalks - just tar gutters to walk; surrounded by mountains - so when people in their backyards or outside spoke, I heard it. Also, there was a sewer a few feet out from my unit, when cars drove over it, it was a loud bang. Hated the homeowners fee - I'd rather use that to pay a gardener to take care of my front yard. There was a row of guest parking and a pool -- too close to my unit.

Also, townhomes/condos don't appreciate like homes do - so it was also a bad investment. 

I was going thru a stressful time - and my cousin talked me into this purchase. We no longer speak.

God helped me get out of there in 2001 - and I immediately bought a brand new house 45 minutes west. Love, Love, Love my house!!!!!

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@kivah  So pleased to know you have been at peace for 19 years...bravo for you!!!