Ive been thinking about the idea of moving out of my apartment and buying a condo or townhouse for my first home. They're pretty cheap around here and it will be like having my own house where I can do anything I want with it. I would just have to pay HOA fee's every month which depending on how much it is, I wouldnt care if it takes care of the landscaping and trash. Those who live in condos, what are the pros and cons to it compared to just buying a house?

 

I'll NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER (get my point?) live in an HOA again.

 

Quoted for truth. HOA's are 90% as bad as living in an apartment IMO. Never again.

 

If you're moving from an apartment, a condo with HOA taking care of the grounds is not so very different. Ask the people who live in the area what they think of it.



If you've ever had an honest to goodness freestanding house without an HOA to deal with, then ^ what they said.

 

I live in a 2 bedroom condo, 1 car garage, finished off basement, and a nice little deck. My rent is pretty cheap, and I only pay $75 a month for HOA. It includes all the yard work (mowing, trimming, edging), garbage and recycling pick up, and maintenance on the outside of the condo like painting, siding, driveway sealing, new roofs, and monthly meetings with the HOA board for everyone in the community to talk about issues, suggestions, and needs. I've been here 3 years and the HOA fee has never once gone up in price. So I cant complain at all about it.