A lot of older condominiums in the states were originally housing cooperatives because the legal structure at the time didn't have an easy way to handle communa

A lot of older condominiums in the states were originally housing cooperatives because the legal structure at the time didn't have an easy way to handle communal living (e.g., apartments). There are even more of them in Europe, although you're generally expected to pay a significantly higher amount up front and actively participate in common area maintenance and (in some cases) participate in social activities and the like.