It is not necessarily a choice people make. I mean, as with everything, people make choices that lead to risks that you can uncharitably blame them for, but peo

It is not necessarily a choice people make. I mean, as with everything, people make choices that lead to risks that you can uncharitably blame them for, but people don't necessarily directly make the choice to live with an HOA. Common sense should tell you every organization has a beginning. I moved to where I am now, a couple of years ago, with the understanding there was no HOA. However, it turns out there was what I'll call a "shadow" HOA - an informal group of people that would like to be one but don't have official standing (yet). Due to some recent events, they are trying to make it official, have instituted a mailing list, have mentioned possibly having voluntary donations to support the legal costs, etc. I don't think real estate agents selling homes in the neighborhood are necessarily telling people what's going on either.