Homeowners Association (the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Ugly)

My HOA forbids people on the second story from having a BBQ. I did not know this when I moved in, and I've since had to get rid of my BBQ, which was a HUGE hobby of mine. Once I'm out of here, I'll never live anywhere with a HoA again.

Plus, they have crazy rules about how many and what kind of pets you can have. I _never_ take my snakes outside unless they're well concealed, and I'm careful to keep my cats out of the windows.

Just note that the neighborhood doesn't have to have a HOA to be stupid.

Where I'm living right now, there is not a HOA. However, there's a man that lives a few houses down with WAY too much time on his hands that calls the police for every tiny 'infraction'. I got a citation for parking my truck facing the wrong direction!

When we called the police department to ask what was going on, they told us about the guy and that they legally HAVE to respond to every call he makes (though they wish they didn't), and to ignore the citation, since they never pursue them for that neighborhood.

When the COPS think it's ridiculous, something's wrong.

So, yes. It doesn't have to be a HOA, so I'd suggest talking to the neighbors before deciding on a house (if at all possible) to ask what the area is like.