Many are like this. FWIW, I have two HOAs where I live. The first deals just with my cluster of homes, which is about 40 townhomes. The second deals with the

Many are like this. FWIW, I have two HOAs where I live. The first deals just with my cluster of homes, which is about 40 townhomes. The second deals with the larger community, which is effectively a midsize town. Between both my annual fees add up to about $1000. For this I get plowed streets, garbage pick up, and community area maintenance (including ample tennis courts, sports fields, pools, walking paths). I have my own small front yard to maintain. And pay for utilities and exterior maintenance. Some of the rules for paint colors and such-like are a bit draconian, but for an outer suburb, property values are pretty darn high and it’s a pleasant place to live. And nobody moves here without knowing what their getting into. Also, despite the paint color rules, many homes do have “English garden” or other non-turf gardens. But, they’re well kept, not wild meadow.