It's a trade out....our particular subdivision is firmly established as a place people want to live (home listings average less than 7 days even at these damned ridiculous CO real estate prices) and it is really well run. The HOA doesn't really get all up in your business here. It's a perfect location with our own elementary and middle school, and one of the safest cities in CO. There are over 1400 homes in our little subdivision and we're currently funded at 130% of our annual operating budget....new fencing and other amenities are planned. They are not at all expensive, we paid 3 times more in condo fees in ATL before we moved.I could deal with the snow. Subdivision not so much.