Replies

I live in a very nice condo complex. It consists of 4 buildings, with 24 units per building. The neighbors, luckily, are all nice, we have hospitality rooms and have parties. The men play cards, the women go to once a month luncheons. There is an inner courtyard with a nice pool.

Our current board is great and will remain fairly intact for quite a few years. They are frugal, but a couple of the men know construction and keep our grounds and buildings in tip top shape. Dogs are allowed (small ones) but must behave. I have one above me but it is quiet. I seldom ever hear it and the doggie is a shy cutey. Cats are also allowed (2 max). All age groups allowed, but most are older. Although one lady just had another baby. The kids get lots of attention from the older adults.

Move-ins and outs are monitored. Huge balconies and up to when the bottom fell out of the market, good resale value. It’s picking up again. Once we get rid of Obama, it should shoot up nicely to where it once was. Oh, and the owner above me put in wood floors. I was afraid what that might mean, but barely any noticeable difference in noise. Our buildings are very soundproof.

The grounds are lovely with large old trees, lots of flowering bushes and magnolia trees, evergreen trees for greenness in winter, flowers and the lawn is landscaped beautifully. Close to everything, doctors, shopping, restaurants, good highway systems nearby, low crime rates; can’t ask for much more.

So not all condo living is a pain in the derriere. One just has to do one’s homework before buying, get word of mouth testimonials from those already living there, and then enjoy the stress free living with no shoveling snow in the winter (Chicago western suburb here) and hopefully nice balconies to bask on in the summer.