My classy neighborhood

We got our annual newsletter today. It's the same newsletter they give every year. It includes lines such as "Clean up your dogs crap!" and "Park Rules 1. Inspections." (And nothing after it....just the word Inspections....) oh and this is a good one: "....If you are unsure what your lot rent is each month call office (some people are confused)."

Only one line is a little confusing to me, the purpose of the newsletter is making the neighborhood attractive for summer (ha!) and one other rule they list is "Storage of outside furniture and toys on decks is a no-no." First of all, the toys I get, but second and third--doesn't outside furniture belong *gasp* outside!?! and if it's summer it's going to be in use and not in 'storage' right?

It's a real classy place here huh? Wanna come be my neighbors? I mean it's so classy they don't even send out letters in envelopes. They just staple them shut....


This newsletter followed the yearly letter telling everyone to power wash their house, remove rust stains, get new skirting, do their roofs, etc. This letter is written in a manner that sounds like they are telling you that they inspected the neighborhood and your house and yard are in need of all these things. DH complained about that because we had just had new skirting put on in the fall and had the roof done one year and our house has never had rust stains or crap in the yard and we still got the letter. The response we got was a half-wit response basically saying 'oh we didn't mean you directly....everyone got the same letter....' Mo-Rons! I can't wait to move! Say a prayer and cross your fingers, legs, eyes, and anything else you can, because that may be as early as this summer!

That sounds terrible. How can you feel it's your home if people are bossing you around? I hope you find a great place soon.

My sister built an expensive house in Houston years ago, and the neighbors liked to get together at Christmas and decorate the same. One year, a neighbor brought her a hideous huge plywood snowman to put in her front yard. She refused, and was the only house on the block without a plywood snowman. Her neighbors were not pleased, and snubbed her for years. My sister's pretty stubborn, but still, she shouldn't have to put that ugly thing on her yard!

I recall reading about planned communities where people are required to apply for approval before doing any work on the outside of their houses. As in: there is a list of which paint colours are acceptable, which plants and shrubs are allowed and which seasonal decorations are tolerated. It's not as though these are historical buildings which are thought of as being important enough to preserve, but they are new communities where people buy their own homes yet are forced to live by the planner's rules.

Don't really get it myself, but apparently this is where some people choose to live. I'd be pretty annoyed if someone told me I couldn't paint my house a certain colour because it wasn't on their list.....

And the stapled shut letters? That IS a touch of class!

Originally Posted by Pekoe & Nigel

I recall reading about planned communities where people are required to apply for approval before doing any work on the outside of their houses. ...

Click to expand...

They are called "strata" houses here, and they are all over the place. We are looking for a house to buy and are staying WAY away from those places!

I hope it works out for you...there are several rules on our neighborhood too. Plus we also have to pay an association fee. And pay a fee for the pool...Total about $800 a year for both.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

They are called "strata" houses here, and they are all over the place. We are looking for a house to buy and are staying WAY away from those places!

Click to expand...

Really? I didn't know they were common anywhere. I studied architecture in school and learned about them when we discussed city planning. (I know there's some term for them other than strata housing but can't quite remember it at the moment....) The idea is completely strange to me. Why would I buy a house only to have someone tell me what I can (and CAN'T!) do to it? As long as it's not illegal or affecting anyone else's property, what right do they have?! Although I guess you're well aware of what you're getting yourself into when you move into a place like that. But I sure don't blame you for staying as far away as you can from there!

we never get a newsletter, if the park manager doesn't like something he sends you a letter saying if you don't fix it he'll evict you I need a new skirt, I'm missing pieces all over the place

Some of the newer subdivisions have covenants-is that the word you are looking for???
Thank goodness I'm in the country and can do whatever I want (and I have the world's worst junkiest neighbor across the road (Can't see from house thankfully)
however I am after Neil to make out woodpiles and stock of lumber piles a bit nicer to look at!!(I can't see them from the house either)

I would hate living in a neighborhood like that. I don't feel that it's anyone's buisness what you have in your yard, or what your house looks like.

Originally Posted by ClaireBear

I would hate living in a neighborhood like that. I don't feel that it's anyone's buisness what you have in your yard, or what your house looks like.

Click to expand...

And why do people have to be told NOT to be trashy??