Nobody is forced to buy in a condo with a HOA
In cases like this, with apts. typically being less soundly constructed than condos and town homes, I think there needs to be an option to opt out if you are already a resident because in this sort of case they are pretty much forced.
So the fact that HOAs are better deals in your mind somehow equates to being "forced" to buy into one is interesting.
HOA's aren't better deals but when you are given the choice of by this unit for 170K or move in 3 months (while many of the other complexes in the city are doing the same thing) then you are beginning to be coerced depending upon your finacial situation. Also there is no give and take, the property isn't any better than it was as an apt. but now there are extra restrictions. If the mortgage is about the same and all the other decent apts. in town are priced at twice what you have been able to afford, then you are certainly being forced. You could always live in a rat hole or on the street, but is that much of a choice, really?
What is your point?
Nobody has to buy a condo with a HOA. Even if I think it is a better deal, I am no obliged to buy into it.
I don't think there should be an option to opt out if one is a resident. When you buy the property, you opt in. HOA's would have no clout if opting out was the case. And if you buy into one, you expect it to do its job.
One can buy a property as nice as any without a HOA so there is no "forcing" here.