Replies

This is what I loathe about most neighborhoods today. Instead of getting off of one's a$$ to see if a neighbor whose yard is unkempt or looking in on an aged couple to see if all is allright when you know they have a debt, they choose to take these folks house away. Perhaps if someone had talked to these folks, they could have made a small collection for them--120 bucks is not a lot.

We have never lived in an association for this reason, but we had a butthole neighbor who called the city once on us(this was after the birth of our first baby) because we had some weeds growing along the side of the house(which we had always been told was city property anyway, but we usually kept up with it until, at this small moment in time--3 months--our lives got hectic). Not one person ever asked even in casual conversation if we needed help. After that, we had little to do with our neighbors not knowing which one was a$$hole enough to report a problem instead of offering first time parents some help(even if it was just giving us a reputable landscapers number we would have appreciated it).
It just galls me because when we shovel snow, we do part of our neighbor's sidewalk up to where their driveways start. We just don't think twice to offer help, but nobody seems to want to do this anymore and instead get some glee out of reporting other people for a minor offense and one with which they have never asked their neighbors if they would be willing to cooperate or offer their help to fix. Instead of trying initial, less intensive steps that will probably work with most people, neighbors just go straight to the top and report away.

We just don't think twice to offer help, but nobody seems to want to do this anymore and instead get some glee out of reporting other people for a minor offense and one with which they have never asked their neighbors if they would be willing to cooperate or offer their help to fix. Instead of trying initial, less intensive steps that will probably work with most people, neighbors just go straight to the top and report away.

That is so true. People are more concerned with property values than building relationships with people. I have been blessed to have had some wonderful neighbors in my lifetime. When my mom died at home at nearly midnight, I was with her by myself, and EVERY ONE of my neighbors came to help and do what they could for me. When she was sick, they helped with the yard, house repairs, you name it. They were our friends and when one family had a need the neighbors were right there to pitch in and help where they could.

Something else that was nice about this neighborhood too, the kids could play outside and be kids. They were free to ride their bikes, build forts and play ball. They could do that because all the parents knew each other and would keep an eye on things.

I would not want to live in an HOA where your neighbors are waiting for you to break one little rule so they can report you. Sure the property may have a few more dollars of monetary value, but with neighbors like that is it really a better investment in the long run?